Atlanta, 18 October (H.S.): Argentine football legend Lionel Messi delivered another outstanding performance, scoring twice within four minutes to help Inter Miami secure a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday. The match was played as part of the 2026 regular season in the Eastern Conference.

The victory kept Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, 11 points behind league leaders Nashville. It was Miami’s 15th win of the regular season.

Miami’s attacking trio of Messi, Luis Suárez and Germán Berterame played a crucial role in the victory. Berterame opened the scoring just before half-time, giving Miami the advantage heading into the break. Messi then struck twice within a four-minute spell in the second half, extending his side’s lead and putting the result beyond Atlanta’s immediate reach. Suárez contributed to the performance by setting up two goals.

Atlanta United managed to pull one goal back in the closing moments through substitute Fábrica Picault, who converted a penalty. The goal ended Miami’s run of two consecutive matches without conceding, during which the team had kept clean sheets in both games.

Despite conceding late in the contest, Inter Miami maintained control of the result and secured a 3-1 victory, collecting all three points to strengthen their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar