FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi raised his arms up in the air to celebrate once VAR confirmed his game-winning assist, hugging Luis Suarez and his new Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
Then, Messi made sure to give a piece of his mind to opposing player Matías Cóccaro after their testy Leagues Cup tournament opener.
Messi had two assists in his first match after his MLS All-Star Game suspension, Telasco Segovia (58’) and Marcelo Weigandt (90’+6’) scored goals, and Inter Miami beat Liga MX side Atlas 2-1 during their match on Wednesday, July 30.
“The other day they didn’t let me play, and today I noticed it, especially in the first set. But, well, the important thing is that we won.” Messi said of his endurance in an interview with Apple TV after the match.
Messi received a pass from longtime teammate Luis Suarez, then dropped it off to Weigandt, who scored in the final minute of the match.
The fireworks erupted inside Chase Stadium, but players quickly had their celebrations interrupted as referees initially ruled the play offsides. They continued celebrating when VAR confirmed the score.
“These are memories that will stay with you forever, in your mind and in your heart. And you have to enjoy them,” Weingandt said of his game-winning goal assisted by Messi.
Added Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi: “We had a lot of faith that he was onside. So, when that moment came, we were super excited. We’re happy about getting that goal.”
Inter Miami became the first MLS club to defeat a Liga MX side in regulation during the first phase of the Leagues Cup tournament, after Liga MX won five out of the first six matches and outscored MLS teams 14-7 overall one day earlier.
Despite the matches being played between MLS and Liga MX teams, they are competing to finish atop their respective league tables to advance to the knockout stage.
“I don’t know how the teams that played today did, but yesterday, the American teams here hadn’t won. And for us, winning today was important to gain an advantage because we’re competing against each other,” Messi said.
Like the game-winning goal, Messi creatively set up the first score of the match with help from another longtime teammate.
Messi saw a shot he missed off a defender rolling in front of Sergio Busquets, and quickly pointed into the penalty area for Busquets to pass him the ball. Busquets was already delivering the pass Messi wanted.
It was a feisty affair between both sides. The game started with Messi getting gut-checked by Atlas’ Sergio Hernández in the 6th minute.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano and Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda were arguing with each other at midfield in the 35th minute as strong contests led to testy moments between both teams.
Rivaldo Lozano scored in the 80th minute for Atlas to tie the match, and nearly force a penalty shootout if the game ended tied in regulation.
In the closing minutes, Messi delivered again.
De Paul, one of Messi’s closest friends who also won the World Cup in 2022, made his Inter Miami debut without practicing after his P1 Visa and international transfer certificate were approved before the match. He seamlessly fit in.
“The team could have sealed the win earlier and not had to go to the last minute. But hey, winning at the last minute adds spice, so we’re happy,” De Paul told Apple TV after the match.
Inter Miami vs. Atlas highlights
Inter Miami 2, Atlas 1: Marcelo Weigandt nets winner in stoppage time
Inter Miami avoided a penalty shootout the final moments of stoppage time, when Marcelo Weigandt scored the winner.
Lionel Messi assisted on the goal.
Inter Miami 1, Atlas 1: Rivaldo Lozano goal ties the match
Inter Miami finds itself 10 minutes away from a penalty shootout, instead of victory. Rivaldo Lozano scored in the 80th minute for Atlas to tie this Leagues Cup match. If the match is tied at regulation, both sides will settle the score with a penalty shootout instead of playing extra time.
Inter Miami 1, Atlas 0: Segovia scores goal on Messi assist
Sergio Busquets found Lionel Messi sneaking behind the defense, and Messi dropped off a pass to Telasco Segovia as the Atlas goalie narrowed in on him.
Goal, Segovia. It’s 1-0 Inter Miami in the 58th minute.
Busquets found himself with possession after Messi swung and missed on a shot that hit a defender. When Messi saw Busquets with the ball, he pointed toward the penalty area for Busquets to pass it. Segovia patiently delivered the finish.
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Halftime update
- Luis Suarez hit the crossbar on the final play of a scoreless first half that was feisty between both sides.
- Messi was gut-checked by Atlas’ Sergio Hernández in the 6th minute, setting the early tone.
- Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano and Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda were arguing face to face with each other in the 35th minute as strong contests led to testy moments between both teams.
- Messi fired a shot in the 44th minute directly into a defender, as Inter Miami had just one shot on goal in the first half.
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Goalie Rocco Rios-Novo has stellar save
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Tadeo Allende misses shot on goal
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Jordi Alba offside after pass from Messi
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is playing tonight. Rodrigo De Paul will also start in his Inter Miami debut.
Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Atlas
What time does Inter Miami vs. Atlas match begin?
The match begins 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlas live stream link?
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Watch Leagues Cup games on MLS Season Pass
Messi has another busy week with time off
Messi should be refreshed after his All-Star Game absence on July 23, and his suspension in Inter Miami’s scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on July 26. Messi and his wife were on the Coldplay kiss cam during a Miami concert on July 27.
“Let’s hope he’s super motivated,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi, adding the suspension had a “silver lining” of “mandatory rest after many consecutive games.”
“I think, in a way, the break was good for him. And well, to start this new marathon of games we’re going to have ahead of us with the Leagues Cup and then the MLS, it’s good for him to be a little fresher.”
Inter Miami vs. Atlas prediction
Inter Miami 4, Atlas 1: Lionel Messi scores two goals and assists another in a dominant return to action after his All-Star Game suspension. — Safid Deen
Inter Miami vs. Atlas betting odds
Here are the betting odds, according to BetMGM.
- Inter Miami: -300
- Draw: +400
- Atlas: +525
- Over/under: 3.5
Inter Miami upcoming schedule
- Aug. 2: Inter Miami vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
- Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
- Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!