Saba Lobjanidze scored twice to propel Atlanta United to a 3-1 triumph over Lionel Messi’s returning Inter Miami on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Jamal Thiare also scored, with assists from Tristan Muyumba, Brooks Lennon, and Caleb Wiley, helping Atlanta United (4-7-4, 16 points) snap a nine-match winless streak (0-5-4).
Josh Cohen, stepping in for the red-carded Brad Guzan, made four saves, securing Atlanta’s first win since their 3-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on March 31.
Messi, who found the net in the 62nd minute, rejoined fellow former FC Barcelona stars Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets in Miami’s lineup after resting for one match. Drake Callender made five saves for Inter Miami (10-3-4, 34 points), who saw their 10-game unbeaten streak (7-0-3) come to an end. This loss marked Miami’s first setback since their 4-0 defeat against the New York Red Bulls on March 23.
Messi nearly scored in the fourth minute with a header that just missed the crossbar. Lobjanidze opened the scoring in the 44th minute, dribbling through the middle and shooting from above the top of the box to find the net’s left corner.
Lobjanidze extended the lead in the 59th minute with a curling left-footed shot from outside the box, marking his fourth goal of the season. Messi reduced the deficit three minutes later with a long-range shot, notching his 11th goal of the season, tying with Suarez for the team lead.
Thiare restored Atlanta’s two-goal lead in the 73rd minute, redirecting Wiley’s cross into the net, sealing the victory for Atlanta United.
