After ten undefeated games, the Inter Miami suffered an unexpected 3-1 home defeat on Wednesday against Atlanta United on the return of Lionel Messiwho scored his eleventh goal of the year in MLS.
Two spectacular goals from Georgian Saba Lobjanidze advanced United in the 44th and 59th minutes at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi scored for the locals in the 62nd minute but the Senegalese Jamal Thiaré sealed United’s victory in the 73rd minute in an action initiated by the talented Argentine attacker Thiago Almada.
The victory is a breath of fresh air for Mexican Gonzalo Pineda, Atlanta’s questioned coach, after nine games without a win in the American league.
For Inter, Messi, the Uruguayan Luis Suárez and the Spanish Sergio Busquets returned to the starting lineup after Gerardo Martino released them from last weekend’s trip to Canada.
The ‘Tata’ will still have Messi in Saturday’s home game against St. Louis City before the world champion joins the Argentine National Team to prepare for the defense of the title in the Copa América (June 20 – 14 of July).
With a precise left foot shot from outside the area, Messi added his eleventh victory of the year with which he equals Suárez on the list of top scorers in the MLS, led by the Colombian Cristian Arango (Real Salt Lake) and the Belgian Christian Benteke (DC United) with 13 goals.
Inter had gone 10 games without losing since March 23, with seven wins and three draws, but remains at the top of the Eastern Conference with 34 points in 17 games since its main pursuer, FC Cincinnati, fell 2-0 against Nashville SC.
Source: Ambito
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