Lionel Messi returns to XI, scores in late win over Atlanta - ESPN

Substitute Fafà Picault scored for Inter Miami CF in the 89th minute, and Lionel Messi struck for the first time in the MLS regular season in a dramatic, late 2-1 victory at Atlanta United FC on Sunday.

Miami (3-1-0) triumphed despite six saves from Atlanta's Brad Guzan, who played an integral role in his team's playoff upset of Messi's squad in a best-of-three series last fall in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Atlanta shocked the Supporters' Shield winners by winning the rubber match 3-2 on the road to eliminate Messi and Miami from the playoffs.

Messi's goal came in the 20th minute of just his second regular season appearance for Miami, which has already played eight matches because of Concacaf Champions Cup action. The World Cup winner started the game after being sidelined for three games due to muscle fatigue before coming off the bench on Thursday night in a 2-0 win at Cavalier FC of Jamaica.

The start for Messi came on the heels of Miami manager Javier Mascherano defending the usage of his star player early in the season.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his third goal in the 11th minute to give Atlanta (1-1-2) an early lead. But his teammates are still stuck on one goal combined as Atlanta's winless run extended to three matches after defeating Montreal in their season opener.

Both teams had plenty of chances for a second-half winner from open play, but the diminutive Picault provided an unlikely header to ultimately decide the game.

Jordi Alba got the ball out wide from a late short corner kick and sent an outswinging ball to the back post. Picault outmuscled Ajani Fortune and sent a header bouncing back across goal, somehow wrong footing Guzan and nestling inside the far left post.

It was Picault's first