Lionel bags 2 goals and assist as Inter Miami destroys Atlanta United

Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 4-0 in a Major League Soccer (MLS) fixture at Chase Stadium in Florida thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi.

Messi started and helped Inter Miami secure at least the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with the win, despite missing his native Argentina's friendly match against Venezuela that was played in Miami the previous evening.

Messi broke the deadlock in the 39th minute by controlling a crossing pass from Baltasar Rodriguez and curling in a shot to the far top corner.

Messi created the opportunity that resulted in Miami's second goal in the 52nd minute with a long ball across the field to Jordi Alba who lobbed the ball over Jayden Hibbert.

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In the 61st minute, Luis Suarez added to the score by curling the ball past Hibbert into the back of the net.

From an Alba assist, Messi scored his second goal in the 87th minute to complete the rout.

It was Inter Miami's last MLS regular-season game at Chase Stadium before the team moves to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.

If the Herons can finish with more points than FC Cincinnati they still have a chance to earn the No. 2 seed.

Messi,who opted to play for club rather than country this weekend, currently leads the MLS in goals with 26 and tied San Diego's Anders Dreyer for the league lead with his 18th assist.