Inter Miami defeats Atlanta United as Lionel Messi makes his MLS playoff debut.

Inter Miami overcame Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday in Messi’s first-ever MLS (Major League Soccer) playoff match.

Barcelona’s two former players scored – first Luis Suárez netting a second minute goal welcome the defence, and as hard it was to believe, there was Jordi Alba, whould scored the winning goal an hour later with an assist provided by Messi in the process.

Atlanta had equalized through Saba Lobzhanidze in the 39th minute, however it was a beautiful 25 yard strike from the left back of Inter Miami which proved to be the winning goal.

As Game 1 ended, Miami had a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three first round series of the MLS playoffs, with Game 2 set for November 2 at the Mercedes-Benz arena in Atlanta.

“It is not very common to find fullbacks who are as important as this one, who plays a very significant role in the attacking phase of the team – Dani Alves, Cafu, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos, all these are on the same level as him,” said Miami head coach Gerardo Martino about how Alba was useful to the team afterward, as reported by MLS.

“He will get the ball to them with accuracy and poise which is not common in an outside back and I have already mentioned that it is much better when he knows where Luis and Leo are and how he can get the ball to them and where they can get it from him in case of Jordi. Undoubtedly, a player that plays in that position with that much influence is very hard to come across.”