close
close

Result Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, live tracker: Lionel Messi and Co. are facing elimination in the MLS playoffs

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez arrive at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday before their playoff game against Atlanta United. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/AFP)

Inter Miami’s dream season reaches a defining moment as they host Atlanta Untied in game three of the MLS Cup playoff opener. After splitting the first two games, Saturday’s showdown at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will be a high-stakes decision. Miami wants to avoid an early exit from the playoffs and continue its record streak.

This season was a turning point for the Herons. Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba have made Miami the team to beat, securing first place in the Eastern Conference with a record 74 points. But ninth-seeded Atlanta has already shown its resilience, winning Game 2 with a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Xande Silva.

Miami’s path to victory will depend on controlling the tempo and minimizing defensive mistakes, as Atlanta’s pace has caused some problems. Despite missing part of the season, Messi has already put up impressive numbers and Saturday provides the perfect stage for his playoff breakthrough. Atlanta, meanwhile, will look to disrupt Miami’s midfield rhythm, with leading scorer Saba Lobzhanidze aiming to capitalize on any mistakes.

While all eyes are on Fort Lauderdale, Miami’s star-studded team has the pressure – and potential – to move one step closer to a championship. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates, expert analysis and insights as Messi and co battle to keep their title hopes alive.

Live18 updates

  • HIGHLIGHT: Guzan’s massive save

  • 34′

    Guzan heroically parries Messi’s shot into the bottom right corner. Incredible save to keep Atlanta in the lead.

  • HIGHLIGHT: Thiare brings the guests to the top

  • HIGHLIGHT: Atlanta’s equalizer

  • HIGHLIGHTS: Miami takes a 1-0 lead

  • 25′ goal disallowed

    Miami thought it had equalized, but Diego Gomez was offside before sending the ball into the net.

  • Miami’s leaky defense…

    The second Atlanta goal was quite an embarrassment for Inter defender David Martínez.

    He played a late, loose pass forward that was intercepted near midfield. Then he didn’t recover. Atlanta passed a ball into the gap where it should have been, to the man it should have been covering. And a few touches later the ball landed in the net.

  • 21′ GOAL

    Dax McCarty sends a pass through the middle and finds Aleksey Miranchuk, who quickly passes it on to Thiare, who scores another goal. The incredible sequence of events gave the guests a 2-1 lead!

  • 19′ GOAL

    Atlanta quickly equalizes as Jamal Thiare gets the score on the board!

  • 17′ GOAL

    Inter Miami get onto the pitch first after Brad Guzan’s deflection from a direct shot from Messi bounces towards Matias Rojas, who sends his first touch into the net.

  • Orlando City survives the shootout and advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals. They will face the winners of Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United.

  • Who will prevail in the must-win third game on Saturday?

  • The game starts now!

    Meanwhile in Orlando, the Lions tied the game in stoppage time and forced a penalty shootout.

  • Availability of Sergio Busquets

    Busquets missed Game 2 in Atlanta. This week he was also initially ruled out for Game 3. Then, hours later, he was reinstated. Now…he’s on the bench and is expected to be available in the second half. We’ll see how Miami does without him.

  • Information about the game between Inter Miami and Atlanta United

    Lionel Messi and Co. host Atlanta in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday in a must-win game. Both teams defended their home game and so it comes down to Game 3 for a chance to advance to the conference semifinals. The winner will face the winner of Orlando City vs. Charlotte, who is currently in stoppage time. Charlotte leads 1-0.

  • Time: 8pm ET

  • Location: Chase Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

  • Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

You may also like...