Messi-less Inter Miami lose 5-2 against Atlanta United in MLS
Messi-less Inter Miami gets crushed 5-2 by Atlanta United in MLS as their 12-match unbeaten run is over, and they remain six points off a playoff spot.
Inter Miami’s star talisman Lionel Messi did not travel with the team during a busy run of games since making his Miami debut in late July. Furthermore, Tata Martino said after the loss that Messi had been suffering from ‘muscle fatigue’.
Messi also sat out of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in La Paz on Tuesday, but watched his team-mates from the bench.
Last week, without Messi, Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-2, but this time it was a very different story for the team.
Atlanta United thrash Messi-less Inter Miami in MLS
Leonardo Campana scored a brilliant solo goal after some incredible close control skills for 1-0. It did look like maybe the visitors didn’t need Messi.
However, Atlanta managed to score three goals in eight minutes to turn the game around. Tristan Muyumba’s goal appeared not to cross the line, but without appropriate technology the goal stood.
Nevertheless, Campana turned things around after scoring a penalty to make it 3-2 for the visitors in the second-half.
Giorgos Giakoumakis went level at the top of the scoring charts with his 14th goal this season before Tyler Wolff scored the fifth goal to put the game to bed.
The 5-2 thrashing against Atlanta means that Inter Miami remain six points off a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Atlanta United have solidified their position in the top half of the Eastern Conference table and sit sixth.
