Overview:
Haitian ahead Fafà Picault scored the game-winning objective for Inter Miami CF with a diving header within the 89th minute, clinching a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United FC. Lionel Messi netted Miami’s first objective within the twentieth minute, equalizing after Atlanta United’s record-signing Emmanuel Latte Lath opened the scoring within the eleventh minute. Picault’s clutch efficiency, arrange by a Jordi Alba help, earned him Man of the Match honors as Miami secured its third consecutive MLS victory within the first 4 common season matches.
ATLANTA— Haitian males’s nationwide group ahead Fabrice Jean-Lan “Fafà” Picault scored the game-winning objective within the 89th minute to safe a dramatic 2-1 victory for Inter Miami CF in opposition to Atlanta United FC on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, March 16. The Haitian star-winger’s clutch efficiency earned him Man of the Match honors and helped Miami safe its third win within the first 4 matches of the 2025 Main League Soccer (MLS) season.
Picault, who got here off the bench within the 83rd minute after recovering from a hamstring damage sustained throughout his first house recreation for Miami on Feb. 22, linked with a exact cross from left-back Jordi Alba to offer Miami the lead within the match’s closing moments.
To attain this match-winning objective, former Spain worldwide Alba acquired the ball out huge from a late quick nook kick and despatched an out-swinging ball to the again put up. Picault outmuscled Ajani Fortune and despatched a header bouncing again throughout the objective, in some way wrong-footing Atlanta United’s goalkeeper Brad Guzan and nestling contained in the far left put up.
Submit-game reactions
“That [goal] means rather a lot to me,” Picault stated post-match. “To begin the season injured was very robust for me—mentally greater than bodily. Nonetheless, with nice help from my household, buddies, the group total, and the medical workers, everybody made it simpler for me to come back again.”
Picault defined how he managed to attain the troublesome header regardless of his peak whereas a taller participant marked him, beautiful almost 43,000 Atlanta United followers within the stadium.
“I grew up enjoying basketball. So ducking, despite the fact that I’m quick, just isn’t an issue for me,” he stated.
It was Fafà’s first objective for his sixth MLS membership and his 58th league profession objective, having moved to Miami from Vancouver this offseason. Earlier than becoming a member of Inter Miami CF in December, Picault dominated the MLS, racking up a formidable 57 targets and 30 assists over eight seasons. He plied his commerce first with the Philadelphia Union (2017-2019). He performed for FC Dallas (2020), Houston Dynamo FC (2021-2022), Nashville SC (2023) and Vancouver Whitecaps (2024).
The 33-year-old Haitian sensation got here off a stellar 2024 season with the Whitecaps, contributing 10 targets and eight assists throughout all competitions.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has been pleased together with his group., praising his gamers’ resilience and will-to-win mentality.
After the group’s passage to the quarter-final of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday, March 13, dominating the matchup in opposition to Jamaican membership Cavaliers FC, Mascherano stated: “I’m pleased with the extent that we confirmed as we speak. I feel we’ve taken a step ahead. We felt snug on the pitch…We have been in a position to management their counterattack, and that, for me, was the important thing to the match.”
Messi leads the cost, Miami fights again
After being rested for the final two league video games, international Argentine star Lionel Andrès Messi performed the total 90 minutes and was instrumental in Miami’s comeback. Atlanta United took an early lead within the eleventh minute by its record-signing Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Latte Lath’s objective (11’).
Nonetheless, simply 9 minutes after the host’s opener, Messi responded with a shocking objective. The Argentine intercepted the ball from an Atlanta defender on the fringe of the field and dribbled previous one other earlier than slotting it into the web previous Guzan to stage the rating at 1-1.
After the 2 groups drew stage, the match remained a good contest. Either side created a number of alternatives however struggled to interrupt the impasse till Miami lastly did within the 89th minute.
With this victory, Inter Miami prolonged its unbeaten run at first of its 2025 season to eight video games throughout all competitions and climbed to the highest of the MLS’ Jap Convention standings.
CONCACAF Champions Cup showdown
The win got here simply days after Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory over Jamaica’s Cavalier FC within the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Spherical of 16, defeating the Jamaicans 4-0 on mixture. Within the first leg match, Messi was rested on account of muscle fatigue, whereas Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez scored. Touring to Jamaica, Messi began on the bench however got here on within the 53rd minute for Suárez, who had already put Miami forward.
Because the world champion and Inter Miami CF captain entered the match, he electrified the gang on the Nationwide Stadium in Kingston, one thing the Argentine does all over the place he performs. The followers’ power soared when Messi scored late within the recreation, securing his group’s passage to the subsequent spherical of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Wanting forward
Inter Miami continues its robust begin to the season with this victory. With star gamers in prime kind, the Herons are shaping as much as be critical contenders in each MLS and worldwide competitions.
Inter Miami will get pleasure from a break earlier than resuming MLS common season motion, internet hosting Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on March 29. They may actually look to keep up their successful momentum.
In the meantime, Picault’s efficiency continues to spark conversations about his potential involvement with the Haitian nationwide group forward of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This week, he’ll be a part of his Haitian teammates in Azerbaijan for a pleasant match between the 2 nations on March 22 on the Olympic Stadium in Baku.
For now, although, the highlight stays on Picault’s clutch efficiency for his membership—one which Miami followers received’t overlook anytime quickly.