Inter Miami vs Atlanta United 3-1: Messi scores twice in four minutes to reach 25 MLS goals and 936 for his career

Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi scoring twice in four minutes early in the second half to take his MLS-leading tally to 25 goals. The game finished in the early hours of Sunday 18 October in Pakistan, and "atlanta united vs inter miami" was the most searched sports query in Pakistan overnight, according to Google Trends.

How the goals came

• 45th minute, 1-0 Miami: Mexico striker German Berterame put Miami ahead on the stroke of half-time, with Messi credited with a secondary assist.
• 56th minute, 2-0: Messi cut in from the right, played a one-two with Berterame at the edge of the box, beat a defender and finished low past goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.
• 60th minute, 3-0: Luis Suarez sent Messi clear on a breakaway; he beat another defender and scored with his left foot again.
• Late, 3-1: former Miami forward Fafa Picault scored a consolation penalty for Atlanta.

The match report is from ESPN.

Messi's numbers after Saturday

Messi is the first player in MLS history to record 15 assists in three seasons in a row, ESPN reported. The 39-year-old said goodbye to the Argentina national team earlier this month in a friendly against Benin; we covered that week in Argentina vs Burkina Faso and Messi's farewell. It was also his first game back at the Atlanta stadium since the 2026 World Cup semi-final in July, when his two late assists beat England.

"He never ceases to amaze the world," Miami coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez said, adding that he believes Messi will reach 1,000 career goals.

Where it leaves Miami

Inter Miami had already clinched a playoff place on Wednesday. Saturday's result was a third straight win and keeps them second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville. Atlanta, coached by Messi's former Argentina and Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, are 14th in the East.

For Miami's previous outing, see Inter Miami vs DC United.

Also on today

Pakistan open the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi at 1pm PKT today: schedule, squads and where to watch are on our tri-series page, and our PTV Sports live guide explains how to watch on TV, mobile and online.