Inter Miami 2-1 Atlas: Weigandt snatches last-gasp win
Lionel Messi bagged a brace for Inter Miami as he helped them make a winning start to their Leagues Cup campaign over Atlas.
Marcelo Weigandt's stoppage-time goal ensured Inter Miami made a winning start to their Leagues Cup campaign as they snatched a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday.
There was little to split the sides in the first half, but Lionel Messi assisted both Miami goals in the second to guide them to the win.
Tadeo Allende and Eduardo Aguirre had shots saved at either end midway through the first half, with both goalkeepers making impressive stops to keep the score level.
Luis Suarez then struck the crossbar on the stroke of half-time with a powerful effort in front of Camilo Vargas, who made himself big as he rushed off his line.
Miami upped the pressure after the break and eventually got their reward in the 57th minute as Sergio Busquets' throughball found Messi, who laid it off to Telasco Segovia for a simple tap-in.
But Atlas pulled level in the 80th minute as Miami struggled to clear their lines after Aguirre's cross and Rivaldo Lozano drilled his low effort past Rocco Rios Novo.
Miami found a 96th-minute winner, though, as Messi opened up space on the left of the box after a one-two with Suarez before putting it on a plate for Weigandt to finish in front of an empty net.
The Herons sit third in Group A after the first group game, with the Portland Timbers top of the pile after a huge 4-0 victory over San Luis, in which they scored with all of their shots.
Data Debrief: Messi makes his mark
Messi did not play in last year's League Cup due to injury, with his last campaign in the competition seeing him score 10 goals.
While he did not get on the scoresheet on Wednesday, he was at the heart of Miami's forward play. He has now contributed to 13 goals in his last eight games in the competition (10 goals, three assists).
Javier Mascherano's side will feel they earned a deserved win, having created 3.29 expected goals (xG) from their 19 shots, while limiting Atlas to just 0.98 at the other end, though the Mexican team did have more shots on target (seven to Miami's five).
