Messi Goes Cazy! 🤯 5 Goals & 2 Assists | Inter Miami 8-0 Atlanta

Welcome to South Florida. This broadcast of MLS on Apple TV is presented by T-Mobile. The supporter shield is out of reach. If you believe in momentum, now's the time to create it. Atlanta no longer chasing a trophy, playing for pride, perhaps jobs. First kick, close to perfect, and Luis Suarez over the ball will get us started tonight. We're glad you joined us for a game that was originally supposed to be played back on the 28th of June. And then it's just going to be when they win the ball, can they get over the press and try and free up Latela, Chiara. Suarez continues on. Luis Suarez with a shot that's blocked away effectively and taken back. Rodrigo DePaul subbed on in the 78th minute of that game. He is not available, not on the bench either for Inter-Miami tonight. And in a unique set of circumstances for Inter-Miami. Track down, Messi now on the left. Cooper Sanchez gets a taste of what Messi can do. Sanchez, the 17-year-old, picks up the trailer. That's Messi, the Miami captain. Buys some time, plays out wide. Allende's cross broken up. Wegant. One back by- That's what you're going to find, because that's where Miami are going to be at their most vulnerable. When Atlanta win the ball back, get that first pass off, but then if you can get the second pass off, you can take arguably six players from Miami out of the game. And that has to be the order of the evening for Atlanta. Changes of the playoff game three win. Here comes Messi after the takeaway curling shot. There it is, number 25. Oh, Messi, a golden strike. Set up by Atlanta. Don't try and play through the middle. Muyambar does exactly that. All of a sudden now, you get a situation where it's one versus one for Messi. And all he does, he doesn't need to go past Amador. He just sizes him up, gets him on his side, and he thinks to himself, if I can curl the ground. He finds himself in a one-on-one position. Atlanta United now looks to answer Alzate to play this ball back. Messi has already eclipsed Atlanta. They work it to the far side. Here's Late-A-Lot to pick this up in the 18. His shot, save made. Rios-Novo. Oh, there it was. That had 1-1 written all over it. There's an opportunity, but it's really good play from Massifaro. He just steps in in midfield. And because of that- He feels so often for this Miami side. Allende. Save made by Hibbert. Oh, what a stop. That was Messi, the trailer, looking for his second of the night. Started and nearly finished by Messi. Really important to start it off. What a ball by Busquets. Messi, the return for Sergio Busquets. Taken by Breit. Able to work this across. On a bounce, that service. Not by Suarez, but the flag has gone. Competitive season. He and Busquets leaving at year's end as we watch Messi. Lionel Messi, looking to play that forward in this up. Stephen Alzate for Tristan Muyambar. And here's Chong-Kui. Really disappointing thing this season for Atlanta. Obviously, you know, you don't bring the younger players into that. They're getting the opportunity this evening, but there's a number of players that have underperformed. Messi going long. Brought down by Allende. Into the waiting arms of Jadon Hibbert. Sloan off the left foot. Taken here by Alba. Jordy Alba! It's a goal! On his special night. All class from Jordy Alba. To double the Inter-Miami lead. Alba, or Alba to Messi. And it's a wonderful run from Messi because he can see that Alfonso, he's been dragged inside. But then what you don't see, just out of the picture, Hibbert, he goes and then he comes back and he gets caught in no man's land. So he makes the run. Sort of used that as a way to go forward when they've got the ball at the back. Alzate again. Sanchez back for Muyambar. Opening dozen minutes at Chase Stadium on what is... Messi. Continues on Lionel Messi. On a bounce. Handled easily by Hibbert. He'll always find a way, Messi. The possibility entirely. Taken in the 18. Just by the outstretched foot of the late. Arriving. Late a lot. This is Alfonso on the far side. Player is down for Atlanta again. Great talent. I think in this system, the way that the playing team has the freedom to go in advance. He's very, very good. Picking the ball up in tight areas. And he can make things happen. But another play that needs to bring more consistency to his game. Without Mirancho and Danny Buonga on international duty. This may be Messi's chance to put some distance between himself and Buonga. And Surridge for that. Back five to get up the pitch. Over the top. Messi in the 18. Settles off the chest. Oh, coming out to challenge was Hibbert, who made the save. What a fine moment for the 21-year-old keeper. Intercept by United. Late a lot. Able to cut it back. Late a lot. Left foot gives it a go. Didn't miss by much. It's good play once again. But you just watch the defending. Aviles. When Late a lot just. Far side. Messi. Return for Alba. Service took a deflection. Here's Alba again. Tries to play this across. And eaten up by Atlanta United. And it's out for a goal kick. He just slid to the final moment. I think they put the ball forward. Busquets going long. The direction of Baltazar Rodriguez. And this is run out by Pedro Amador on the far side. Now for an Atlanta throw. And then they'll be hoping that, obviously, next season has to be better. It's assistant coach Kenny Miller who was telling us about a moment earlier this year when he compared Atlanta's expected goals to enter Miami's. And the numbers at the time were almost. And on either side of this international window with his full complement of players. Here's Hibbert again. With a big stop made on Suarez. The flag did go up. Wouldn't have counted. But to the point we were making a moment. Cefedo defending. William Barr stuck a foot in. Here's Messi again. Lionel Messi in the 18. His chance off the mark. But the whistle did blow. It going off a hand prior to the shot attempt. And as we watch Messi again. Play this fall in. Quick shot. Fought off by Hibbert again at the last moment. No. They're gonna say. It hit the crossbar. That it hit the crossbar instead. And it's a goal kick. Hibbert's instinct. Goal reverses course. His service. Off the left foot. Defended away. Suarez again. What a strike. Luis Suarez. And the Barcelona boys have come to play tonight. Unbelievable. Give great credit to Pico. He always makes a difference when he comes onto the pitch. But then as he falls. He's actually falling. And he's going backwards. What a strike that is. It's an amazing strike. He's not even coming straight onto it. Not only is he going backwards. Chang-hui. Able to whip this ball across. Atlanta will get on it. Looking for one last chance. Alzate. No lane for him. Atlanta lays this off. Alfonso with a chance. Aviles. Messi with a touch. Here's Busquets. Sway through. Jordi Alba continues on. Alba to work it across. Oh, Messi was arriving late. He got stuck in a traffic jam. Bright. Keeps it for the. Played centrally. Good touch by Baltasar Rodriguez. Fought off. And the challenge not successful. The foul is called against Benakal. Free kick from a dangerous area here. Lionel Messi this time. Over the bar. Look, some data of the World Game is spotty. But his next goal on a direct free kick would be his 70th tonight. And he scored twice. Including a banger in D.C. for his first NLS goal. One back here by Atlanta. Here's Chade. One cleanly. Bright. We want them to play on the shoulder of the last defender because we know we've been to Miami. In order for them to keep compact, they have to play a high line. Played back. Not so fair though for Hibbert to play it away. Taken in the middle of the park. Alba. As simple as that. And that's what Alba's doing. You know, he's still an incredible footballer. But he's at the point in his life, you know, he's made the decision and he's earned that right to make that decision. What an unbelievable career. And like I say, for any footballer, you get to a stage in your life where you have had enough regardless of anything. He's on the ball again. Jordy Alba, the return from Suarez and now back to Miami's number nine. Out of New Hampshire. Bright was unavailable that day. What a difference maker he had become by that point in the postseason. Well, sorely missed. When you watch him, he's a player in midfield for me. Long since eliminated Montreal. But that race for second appears to be coming down. Two decision day. Wigant. Now Messi. Busquets. The team needs to remain in its shape on a consistent basis defensively. Rios-Snovel off his line to deal with that. One back by Miami. Now Busquets. Pressured by Latte. And bring it from distance. Messi joins the attack. Lionel Messi still following through. That's cleared out towards the middle of the park. Wigant. And they recycle for Busquets. Every step back you take when he's stood still, you're going further and further away from him. And it's, I've always said it. Latte Lott will run on to this. That's a terrific strike. And he didn't miss by much, but it's Afonso back in South Florida. His chance blocked away. It's out for a corner. And it looks as though it was on target. I think Wigant just gets in the way of it. Sends it over. This is an MLS debut for Atlanta. United for Patrick Wayan. If you're all wondering, no relation. Fafa Pico. Curling shot. Big save made by. Best of the lot. Miami knocking on the door again. Corner by Suarez is played short. Here's Messi. From Messi. He does look like he is in an onside position as the ball is played. And he does the rest. As he does more often than not. What a performance from Messi. What a performance from Alba. So Alba's turn. And Arrizal and Dallas each with a chance to clinch a playoff berth before this night is over. We'll keep you posted. Dagadan Turaltsun has the goal for the Lions we told you earlier. Alfonso. United in a 3-0 game. Inter-Miami looking for more. First involvement for Togashi. He's fouled. Draws the attention of a few. Able to work this across. Rodriguez in. And it's handled here by Hebert. And just to clarify, they're not so fed up. Better calm. Situation went from difficult to worse early in this match with the loss of Stian Gregersen to injury. There's Chade. A little bit of a go from long range block turn to whether Ronnie Dyla is that man moving forward at some point. And I think you can look at it the other way as well. Teams that have a great season, if they don't get things right or there's injuries, they can find themselves at the wrong end because it's barely... Lionel Messi gives this up. Alba. Messi again. Trying to work this across. Into Miami. Saves possession. Here's Jordy Alba on his big night. Flips it in. Into Miami. Still on the front foot looking for five. Not so fed up. End of the match.