Atlanta United took down top-of-the-table Inter Miami CF 3-1 in a dominant win on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium behind a brace from Saba Lobjanidze, who recorded his third and fourth goals of the season, and a goal from Jamal Thiaré.
Atlanta produced its first chance of the night in the 10th minute when Thiaré had a shot from inside the box blocked while the rebound fell to an open Brooks Lennon. The right back directed his shot across goal but was just wide of the far post.
After winning a corner in the 23rd minute, Thiago Almada sent in a cross into the center of the box where it was flicked on by Stian Gregersen to an unmarked Luis Abram at the back post. The Peruvian defender headed his shot on target but directly into the arms of Drake Callender.
Lobjanidze broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with a long-distance strike. After receiving a pass from Tristan Muyumba, Lobjanidze made a charging run down the center of the field before blasting a right-footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner of the net.
Lobjanidze doubled Atlanta’s lead in the 59th minute. After receiving a pass from Lennon on the right touchline, the winger dribbled inside to the top of the box and curled a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Lionel Messi made it 2-1 in the 62nd minute, collecting a pass from Sergio Busquets near the top of Atlanta’s 18-yard box and firing a low shot into the bottom right corner.
Thiaré added Atlanta’s third goal in the 73rd minute. After clever play from Almada at the top of the box, Atlanta’s captain on the night played the ball wide to Caleb Wiley who sent a pass across the six-yard box that Thiaré was able to touch into the back of the net.
I think it was a massive, massive performance. But we’ve been playing good, not at that same caliber, but something close to this. We didn’t get many results and today we did very well in terms of being clean and finding those key moments. I think the players deserve every part of those three points.”
Gonzalo Pineda on the importance of tonight’s win
With the win, Atlanta handed Inter Miami its first home loss when Messi has featured in the starting lineup since he arrived in MLS last summer.
Atlanta United (4-7-4, 16 points) returns to action Sunday, June 2 when it hosts to Charlotte FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (4:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, FOX/FOX Deportes, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATL UTD