New Delhi, March 17 (H.S.) : Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi delivered another brilliant performance, leading Inter Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference standings in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Sunday. Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 2-1, avenging the loss they suffered in last season’s playoffs.

Veteran Haiti international Fafa Picault scored the decisive goal with a header in the 89th minute, maintaining Miami’s unbeaten run this season.

Atlanta had a fast start

Atlanta put pressure on Inter Miami right from the start of the match, with Ivory Coast’s Emmanuel Lati Lath scoring in the 11th minute to give the team the lead. The goal came from a fantastic pass by Miguel Almirón, which Brooks Lennon converted into a cross, allowing Lath to head the ball into the net.

Messi equalized

However, Miami didn’t take long to equalize. In the 20th minute, Messi capitalized on a mistake by Atlanta’s Polish midfielder Bartosz Silszcz, stealing the ball. He skillfully deceived defender Derrick Williams and finished with a remarkable strike over goalkeeper Brad Guzan into the net.

Miami’s victory came from Picault’s header

In the second half, Miami created several chances, but Atlanta’s experienced goalkeeper Brad Guzan made some excellent saves. He denied a brilliant shot from Messi in the 65th minute.

However, Miami finally found the winning goal in the 89th minute. Former Barcelona star Jordi Alba delivered an accurate cross from the right, which Fafa Picault headed into the net, securing the victory for his team.

Results from other MLS matches

In other MLS matches, Nashville SC defeated Philadelphia Union 3-1, causing Philadelphia to drop to second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, reigning champions Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw against Portland, earning their first point of the season. Galaxy remains at the bottom of the table, having just one point from four matches.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar