FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi returned to action, rested and engaged. But most of his Inter Miami teammates felt the ill effects of Major League Soccer’s longest road trip Wednesday night.
Messi scored in the 62nd minute, but Inter Miami lost 3-1 to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium – four days after the club won 2-1 in Vancouver without Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets.
Saba Lobjanidze scored in the 44th and 59th minutes for a brace, while Jamal Thiaré scored a sliding goal in the 73rd minute to help Atlanta win its fourth match of the MLS season and hand Inter Miami its third defeat of the season.
“The truth is that we were missing one piece of equipment,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said after the defeat. “Let’s say it was an evening where the team was behind compared to the other matches, where we always found positive moments, even in difficult moments.”
The good news for Inter Miami: it retains first place in the MLS Eastern Conference with FC Cincinnati one point in the standings after Cincinnati’s 2-0 home defeat against Nashville.
Messi, Suárez and Busquets returned to action for the first time since May 18, with 10 days between matches to rest and recover – and avoid traveling to and from South Florida to Vancouver on weekends last.
Inter Miami plays again Saturday night against St. Louis City, which ranks 11th out of 14 teams in the MLS Western Conference. But it’s not yet final Messi, the 2022 world champion who will captain Argentina in the Copa América next month, will play on Saturday. His status will likely be decided after Friday’s practice.
Messi could use this work to maintain his form ahead of the Copa América, which could be the last major tournament he plays for Argentina during his legendary career. He will be 37 years old on June 24.
Messi appeared healthy as a lingering injury to his left leg, a blow he suffered in Montreal on May 11, did not affect him against Atlanta.
Messi almost scored with a header in the opening minutes, but his dive towards the net ended with the ball flying over it.
Messi, Suárez and Jordi Alba forced the game offensively in the first half, but they failed to find any holes in Atlanta’s steadfast defense.
As the first half drew to a close, Inter Miami’s fatigue from travel and overnight humidity showed when Lobjanidze scored before halftime.
While Messi’s goal revived Inter Miami and its home crowd, Thiaré’s goal proved to be the dagger.
Inter Miami has won just one of six matches played on a Wednesday this season, with a 3-1 win over Nashville in the Concacaf Champions Cup being the lone exception.
“When a team loses like us, it’s an excuse to talk about the trip or the schedule,” Martino said.
Goal by Jamal Thiaré: Atlanta United 3, Inter Miami 1
Inter Miami is on the verge of defeat.
Jamal Thiaré finished a sliding goal in the 73rdrd minute to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead against Inter Miami.
The play was orchestrated by Thiago Almada and Caleb Wiley delivered the assist.
Messi scores a goal to respond: Atlanta United 2, Inter Miami 1
Messi responded to Inter Miami’s 2-0 deficit with a goal in the 62ndsd minute, a shot that finds the bottom right corner of the net.
The quick response to Messi’s goal revived the crowd at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium.
Saba Lobjanidze scores again for a double: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 0
Maybe it’s not Inter Miami’s night.
Saba Lobjanidze scored in the 59thth minute to give Atlanta United a 2-0 lead over Inter Miami in the second half.
Atlanta’s Thiago Almada avoided the steal of Inter Miami stars and Lobjanizde doubled their lead.
Messi slips, misses a shot on goal: Atlanta 1, Inter Miami 0
A swing and a miss in the 55th minute by Messi, who also slipped after his final shot attempt in the second half.
Inter Miami’s Matias Rojas, who has scored three goals this season, came into the game for Julian Gressel.
Saba Lobjanidze goal: Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami 0
Messi and Inter Miami were out of form in the first half and fell behind just before halftime.
Atlanta United’s Saba Lobjanidze scored in the 44th minute to help his team take a 1-0 lead over Inter Miami.
Messi, Alba, Suárez try to connect again, but offside: Inter Miami 0, Atlanta 0
Messi, Alba and Suárez executed a set piece after a corner, to no avail.
Alba found Messi streaking down the right side, and Messi used his head to find Suarez heading towards the net. But the ball appeared to have been deflected by Atlanta United goalkeeper Josh Cowen in the 26th minute.
Messi rolls downfield, Suárez misses: Inter Miami 0, Atlanta 0
Messi seized an opportunity with all the vigor of midfield and sent a pass to his right to Julian Gressel. But Gressel went offside after throwing a pass to Luis Suárez, who sent it straight to Atlanta United goalkeeper Josh Cowen in the 19th minute.
A minute later, Messi sent a pass into the goal area to Robert Taylor, who couldn’t handle it.
Messi misses diving header in the first minutes: Inter Miami 0, Atlanta 0
Messi made a difficult run to the net and tried to use his head to find the back of the net. But Messi’s shot bounced over the net in the fourth minute.
Messi rose after his dive with a nudge for Jordi Alba, who delivered the pass into the goal area.
Messi, striker Luis Suárez and midfielder Sergio Busquets are back as starters after missing the Vancouver match last Saturday.
A new addition to the starting lineup is midfielder Federico Redondo, who returns from a knee injury to play against Vancouver. He replaces Benjamin Cremaschi, who will probably come in as a substitute.
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is expected to play against Atlanta, after staying home in South Florida and missing Inter Miami’s 2-1 win in Vancouver. He is part of the surprising formation.
WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami face Atlanta United FC on Apple TV
TICKETS: See Messi and Inter Miami in person when they host Atlanta United FC
SHOP: Get the latest gear from the Messi and Inter Miami teams in the MLS store
How to watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United live
Inter Miami and Atlanta begin play Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Chase Stadium. The game is available through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Messi and Inter Miami arrive at Chase Stadium
Messi and his Inter Miami teammates have arrived at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for tonight’s match against Atlanta United. The players were seen leaving their bus shortly after 6 p.m. ET.
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United Prediction
Inter Miami 3, Atlanta United 0: Messi returns to form with a goal and an assist, Suárez adds another goal and Benjamin Cremaschi scores as goalkeeper Drake Callender completes a shutout. —Safid Deen, Lionel Messi journalist
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United betting odds
Inter Miami is a -225 favorite at home, while Atlanta is a +380 underdog with +450 odds to tie, according to BETMGM.
What’s at stake as Inter Miami hosts Atlanta United?
Inter Miami leads the MLS Eastern Conference with 34 points from 10 wins, four draws and two losses. Luis Suárez is tied for second in MLS with 11 goals scored, while Messi is third with 10 goals scored and a league-leading 12 assists this season.
Meanwhile, Atlanta is 12th among 15 Eastern Conference teams with 14 points from three wins, four draws and seven losses.
A victory would increase Inter Miami’s lead in the East.
Messi shines in the promo of the film Bad Boys with Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and Jimmy Butler
Messi speaks in English and delivers the punchline in a hilarious promo for “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”
Why didn’t Messi travel and play in Vancouver?
Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets did not travel to Vancouver to rest – to avoid the trip across the continent from South Florida – with home games on the schedule tonight and Saturday, including the Copa América on the bridge.
All three are scheduled to play Wednesday and Saturday against St. Louis City.
Messi’s next schedule at Inter Miami, Argentina
Messi is expected to play again on Saturday as Inter Miami hosts St. Louis City. Then he will join Argentina for Copa América training.
Messi will participate in friendly matches with Argentina or preparation matches for the Copa América in Chicago on June 9 and in the Washington DC area on June 14.
Next, Messi and Argentina will take center stage in the Copa América opener against Canada in Atlanta on June 20.
Here’s more on Messi and Argentina’s Copa América schedule.