Late Picault goal gives Inter Miami 2-1 win against Atlanta
The Herons haven’t lost since the Five Stripes eliminated them from the MLS Cup playoffs in November. Sunday’s road win also moved Inter Miami into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Inter Miami’s first goal Sunday against Atlanta United. Photo: Dale Zanine/Imagn Images
Herons sneak two by Guzan
Brad Guzan almost did it again.
Atlanta United’s 40-year-old goalkeeper and captain had 18 saves against Inter Miami in the Five Stripes’ shocking first-round playoff upset of the Herons in November, nine in the decisive Game 3 win.
On Sunday, Guzan made six stops, most of the highlight-reel variety and several against Lionel Messi.
But in the end, Fafa Picault’s header bounced slowly over the goal line unmolested in the 89th minute and Inter Miami held on for a 2-1 road win.
With the victory, the Herons moved one point ahead of the Philadelphia Union for first place in the Eastern Conference, 10 points to nine. Inter Miami still hasn’t lost since Nov. 9 — the night ninth-seeded Atlanta outscored the Herons 3-2 at Chase Stadium. The Herons improved to 3-0-1 in MLS regular season matches; they are 4-0 in Concacaf Champions Cup matches and 3-0-2 in preseason friendlies for an unofficial 10-0-3 mark under first-year coach Javier Mascherano.
Picault injured his leg against New York City FC in the team’s first MLS match and had missed six matches in three weeks. He started Sunday on the bench, but six minutes after coming into the match for Telasco Segovia he drifted into space in front of the far post on a Miami corner. Jordi Alba settled the ball on the far side and lifted a near-perfect cross to Picault for the match-winning header.
Atlanta looked dangerous from the start, and a beautiful bit of soccer from Miguel Almirón, Brooks Lennon and Emmanuel Latte Lath in the 11th-minute signaled a long night for the visitors.
Almiron started the play with a long outlet pass to Lennon; with Latte Lath angling away from Inter Miami center back Maxi Falcon, Lennon dropped a perfect cross to the newcomer, who headed it with authority into the Miami net.
In the 20th minute, Messi stepped in front of a pass in the Five Stripes’ box, juked a defender and chipped the ball over a diving Guzan to even the score.
Messi’s minutes
Messi played the entire match. He came into Thursday’s Champions Cup match against Jamaican side Cavalier FC in the 53rd minute, his first action after missing three matches because of muscle fatigue.
The Argentine icon will report to La Albiceleste’s March camp this week for Argentina’s key World Cup-qualifying matches at Uruguay on Friday and against Brazil in Argentina on March 25.
Still no Drake
Rocco Rios Novo started in goal for Inter Miami. Oscar Ustari, who had started every competitive match for the Herons this season, served his one-game suspension for a red card infraction last week against Charlotte. Drake Callender, the starter since taking the job from an injured Nick Marsman in 2022, hasn’t played in 2025 after suffering an adductor injury at U.S. Men’s National Team training in January. He was on the bench Sunday and was available if needed.
What’s next?
The Herons’ will host Philadelphia on Saturday, March 29, after having next week off for FIFA’s international break.
Inter Miami will continue its quest for the Champions Cup with the first leg of the quarterfinals at LAFC on Wednesday, April 2, and the return match a week later in Fort Lauderdale.
Inter Miami II will play its first U.S. Open Cup match at 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday at home against Miami United, a UPSL side.