Messi’s goal in vain as Atlanta United topples Inter Miami

Saba Lobjanidze scored twice to lift Atlanta United to a 3-1 victory over returning Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Jamal Thiare also scored and Tristan Muyumba, Brooks Lennon and Caleb Wiley each had an assist to help Atlanta United (4-7-4, 16 points) end its winless drought in nine matches (0-5- 4).

Josh Cohen made four saves in place of Brad Guzan (red card) to send Atlanta to its first victory since a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire on March 31.

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Messi, who scored in the 62nd minute, joined his former FC Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets in returning to Miami’s lineup after missing a match due to rest.

Drake Callender finished with five saves for the Herons (10-3-4, 34 points), who saw their unbeaten streak snapped at 10 games (7-0-3). This is Miami’s first loss since a 4-0 decision to the New York Red Bulls on March 23.

Messi almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but his header from the center of the area went just over the crossbar.

Lobjanidze scored the first goal of the match in the 44th minute. He dribbled the ball down the middle of the field and fired a shot from above the box that sailed into the left corner of the net.

Lobjanidze doubled the advantage in the 59th minute after his left-footed shot from outside the area curled in at the far post. The goal was Lobjanidze’s fourth of the season.

Messi halved the deficit three minutes later after his shot from outside the area beat Cohen. Messi’s goal was his 11th of the season, tying Suarez for the team lead.

Thiare regained Atlanta’s two-goal lead in the 73rd minute after deflecting Wiley’s cross off the mark.