FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi failed to score in the first MLS playoff game of his storied career, but the greatest player of all time still found a way to lead his club to victory.

Messi assisted on Jordi Alba’s go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez scored in the second minute of the match, and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday night to begin their best-of-three first round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Game 2 is Nov. 2 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Game 3, if necessary, will return to Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Nov. 9.

“We took an important step. It was the only team in our area that we had not been able to beat. That it arrives at this time is very good,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said of the win over Atlanta – one of four clubs to beat Miami this season.

At least 150,000 viewers at a time watched the "Messi cam," a live stream of Messi exclusively on the MLS and Inter Miami TikTok accounts. The highly anticipated match was also streamed worldwide for free on Apple TV.

Messi entered the match scoring two hat tricks in the last 10 days – three goals for Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match, and three goals in 11 minutes for Inter Miami to clinch the MLS points record. But he was unable to continue his goal-scoring magic from arguably the healthiest stretch of his career since joining Inter Miami in his MLS playoff opener.

Messi took nine shots in the match, including four on target, but he was unable to find the back of the net – partially due to his miscues and thanks to Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan’s stellar defense.

Messi kicked a shot into Guzan’s feet in the final minute of the match, had his first shot on target tipped by Guzan in the 26th minute, and saw a shot from point-blank range deflected by Guzan’s left knee in the 72nd minute.

Messi also missed a shot off the right post in the 29th minute, a free kick wide right in the 52nd minute, sailed a shot over the net in the 66th minute, and missed other late chances in the final 30 minutes.

“If it's not for Brad, the game must have ended with a few more goals,” Martino said of the Atlanta goalie.

Messi relied on two of his former Barcelona running mates in Suarez and Alba to secure the first playoff win in Inter Miami’s four-year franchise history.

Suarez’s goal came off an assist by Diego Gomez, after being set up by Alba – a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year.

Alba’s goal, a laser following a pass from Messi, ended the tie after Atlanta’s Saba Lobzhanidze scored in the 39th minute. It was the lift Inter Miami, behind its two MVP finalists in Messi and Suarez, needed to secure the victory.

“The best left back in the world,” Suarez said of Alba. “Wherever he is, he will always be the best in his position.”

Inter Miami is in pursuit of its third title since Messi joined the club in July 2023. Messi is also vying for his 47th title for club and country.

Messi and Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, and the MLS Supporters’ Shield title for the league’s best record this season. The club also set the MLS record with 74 points during the regular season.

“Well, I think we are one of the favorites (to win MLS Cup),” Messi said during an interview with Apple TV and 433 Football, a soccer content creator company, before the match.

“I think we are a team that has grown and learned to compete and that will compete with anyone. But I think there are also tough teams who will be very difficult rivals and who will not make it easy. But I think the other teams respect us like we respect them.”

The match did not come without disappointment for Inter Miami: Ian Fray, a 22-year-old defender who's sustained three ACL injuries in his career, left the game in the 90th minute with an apparent right leg injury.

“We leave with a feeling of not so much satisfaction – more because of Ian, because we are sad and aware of what injury he had,” Martino said of Fray without further disclosing the nature of his injury.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United highlights

Messi misses shot off Atlanta goalie's knee in 72': Inter Miami 2, Atlanta 1

Messi missed a shot from point-blank range, thanks to a ridiculous save by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan. Messi’s shot was blocked my Guzan’s left knee in the sequence.

Messi misses shot in the 66th minute: Inter Miami 2, Atlanta 1

Lionel Messi is going after it, but not finding the back of the net just yet. After a back-and-forth with Luis Suarez, Messi took a shot in close range that sailed over the net.

Jordi Alba goal: Inter Miami 2, Atlanta United 1

Inter Miami’s MLS Defender of the Year candidate, Jordi Alba, delivered a strike with his left boot in the 60th minute, and Inter Miami is in the lead again up 2-1. Alba scored on an assist from Messi, and the two shared a hug in celebration after the score.

Lionel Messi misses free kick: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta United 1

Lionel Messi’s free kick bent just wide outside the right side of the net in the 52nd minute. After two hat tricks in the last 10 days, Messi appears a bit rusty in this playoff match.

Saba Lobzhanidze goal: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta United 1

Atlanta got a pivotal score from its leading scorer, as Saba Lobzhanidze scored in the 39th minute with a left boot past Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender. We’re tied at Chase Stadium.

Lionel Messi off the post in 29': Inter Miami 1, Atlanta 0

Almost. Messi sent a shot toward the net, but it ricocheted off the right post in a near-score that left him in disbelief.

Lionel Messi misses shot in 26': Inter Miami 1, Atlanta United 0

Lionel Messi’s shot toward the net was an empathic left boot tipped by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan in the 26th minute.

Luis Suarez goal: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta United 0

Inter Miami already has a lead thanks to a goal by Luis Suarez in the 2nd minute of the match. The goal came roughly after the first 1:40 of game time from the MLS MVP candidate. Suarez even did the Griddy dance to celebrate the goal, likely in the direction of his young son in the stands. Suarez had 20 goals for Inter Miami this season during MLS play, tying him with Messi for the team lead.

Messi interview with Apple TV

Check out part of this sit-down interview Messi did with Apple TV:

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United starting lineups

Here's the starting lineups for both clubs: To no surprise, Messi is starting tonight.

Bad Bunny x Lionel Messi display at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium

The adidas collaboration between Bad Bunny and Lionel Messi announced this week was on display with an activation outside Inter Miami's Chase Stadium before tonight's game.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United free live stream

The match is available for free on Apple TV, which said this could be the most-viewed match on MLS Season Pass history.

TikTok Messi cam: How to watch Messi on TikTok live stream

The @MLS and @InterMiamiCF TikTok accounts will feature a live stream of Messi during the playoff game. It’s the first time in TikTok’s history a single player will be followed during an entire soccer match.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is expected to be in the starting lineup for Inter Miami’s playoff game against Atlanta.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United betting odds

Here are the BETMGM moneyline odds: Inter Miami (-250); Atlanta (+575); Draw after regulation (+400). The over/under is set at 3.5 goals.

The line moved significantly since Tuesday: Inter Miami moved from -210 to -250, while Atlanta dropped from +425 to +575.

Messi enters MLS Cup Playoffs at his strongest

Messi’s Copa America ankle injury is long behind him. He appears at full strength, and perhaps stronger than he’s ever been since joining Inter Miami, evident from two hat tricks in his last two matches played.

Messi was also named one of five finalists for MLS MVP on Thursday, and is considered a favorite to win the award.

The Messi marketing machine is also in full effect with the debut of Captain Messi, a superhero toy with Hard Rock International, among other ventures the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is pursing off the pitch.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta stats

What makes this MLS Cup Playoff matchup so enticing is Atlanta is one of four clubs to beat Inter Miami this season.

Messi scored a goal, but Atlanta beat Inter Miami 3-1 on May 29. For context, the match was three days after Inter Miami’s trip to Vancouver, the longest road trip in Major League Soccer.

Atlanta also played Inter Miami to a 2-2 draw on Sept. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Messi came off the bench and was scoreless in limited action.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United MLS Cup Playoff Series

Game 2 will be played Saturday, Nov. 2, in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. And Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Chase Stadium.

The winner advances to meet the winner between No. 4 Orlando City and No. 5 Charlotte.

MLS Cup Playoff format

The MLS Cup Playoffs is not a traditional, two-game, aggregate score format. Instead, every match in the MLS Cup Playoffs is a standalone opportunity to earn a victory. If a score is tied after regulation in the first round, both clubs will immediately compete in a penalty shootout.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inter Miami vs Atlanta highlights: Messi gets first MLS playoff win