Inter Miami's unbeaten run came to an end as they suffered a 5-2 defeat against Atlanta United in their recent match. This defeat came as a surprise to many fans, considering the team's turnaround in fortunes since the arrival of Lionel Messi. However, Messi was rested for the first time since joining the club in July, and his absence was keenly felt.
Despite Messi's absence, Inter Miami started the game positively and took the lead through a brilliant goal from Leonardo Campana in the 25th minute. Campana controlled the ball with his chest, deftly chipped it over a defender, and unleashed a stunning volley into the net. It seemed like Inter Miami was on track for another victory.
However, Atlanta United quickly turned the tables on Inter Miami. In a span of just eight minutes, they scored three unanswered goals, leaving their opponents reeling. Tristan Muyumba, an unfortunate own goal from Miami, and Brooks Lennon were the goal scorers, and Atlanta United went into halftime with a commanding 3-1 lead.
Inter Miami tried to mount a comeback in the second half and managed to reduce Atlanta's lead when Campana confidently converted a penalty in the 52nd minute after a handball in the box. But their hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished, as Atlanta United took control of the game. Giorgos Giakoumakis and Tyler Wolff added two more goals to Atlanta's tally, securing a resounding victory.
The absence of Messi was keenly felt by the fans, with a staggering 72,000 spectators present at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Some fans expressed their disappointment, having paid large sums to witness Messi's brilliance on the field. However, a club source revealed that the decision to rest Messi was made based on the number of games he has played since joining the club.
Atlanta United's coach, Gonzalo Pineda, was unaware of Messi's absence until he saw it on social media. He used this as motivation for his team, urging them to shift the focus onto themselves and their performance.
Inter Miami's next match is scheduled against Toronto FC, which will be hosted at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Meanwhile, Atlanta United will play against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington D.C. Both teams will be looking to bounce back and secure victory in their upcoming fixtures.