Suarez and Alba Lead Inter Miami To Historic First Ever Playoff Win

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba scored a goal apiece to lead Inter Miami CF to a historic first-ever playoff win, 2-1, over Atlanta United.

Starting XI

Tata Martino’s versatile lineup left us guessing whether the team would begin in a 5-3-2, or a 4-3-3 formation. The inclusion of rookie Yannick Bright with the starters allowed Inter Miami to play with a backline of 5 where Sergio Busquets would slide in as a center-back.

The Starting XI for #InterMiamiCF lends itself to multiple formations… 5-3-2 or 4-3-3 easily interchangeable…I think it’s 4-3-3 with Busquets, Bright, & Redondo in the midfield…#Messi #MLSCup #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/el7cCvwcin

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 26, 2024

Game Action

The Herons scored less than 2 minutes into the match when Luis Suarez blasted a shot past Brad Guzan. “El Pistolero” received a short pass inside the box by Diego Gomez and finished the play by putting the ball through Guzan’s legs and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

GOOOOL!!! Luis Suárez puts it in the back of the net after Diego Gómez set him up in front of the Atl goal…1-0 less than 2 minutes into the match…#InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSCupPlayoffs #MLSCup

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— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 26, 2024

Miami continued to dominate the action in the first half creating multiple clear goal-scoring chances but were denied time and time again by a massive Brad Guzan in the United goal. In one of its few chances in front of the Heron goal area, Saba Lobjanidze ripped a left-footed shot past Drake Callender for the 1-1 scoreline.

Saba once again scores against #InterMiamiCF… Miami has been knocking but couldn’t score a 2nd goal… Atl makes the most of its lone chance 1-1…#MLS #MLSCupPlayoffs #MLSCup

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— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 26, 2024

The teams went into halftime tied 1-1.

The Herons go into halftime tied 1-1 despite dominating possession & creating multiple clear scoring chances… Atl has managed to stay in the match & made their lone chance count… #InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rlC505B6tv

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 26, 2024

In ’60, Jordi Alba helped Inter Miami regain the lead for good with a phenomenal left-footed launch from long distance. Brad Guzan could only watch as it inflated the Atlanta net.

JORDI ALBA with the cannon from outside the 18 yard box to give #InterMiamiCF the 2-1 lead… Fantastic launch 🚀…#MLS #MLSCup #MLSCupPlayoffs

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— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 26, 2024

Jordi’s brilliant strike gave Inter Miami its first playoff victory in team history. On a night when Lionel Messi wasn’t the star of the match, Suarez and Alba led Miami.

Postgame

Jordi Alba was a topic of conversation postgame with Coach Tata Martino, comparing him to some of the best left-backs in football history.

“It’s not easy to find left-backs who are so decisive, that contribute so much to the offensive game of the team; Dani Alves, Cafu, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos, they’re all at that level…”

Alba has been magnificent all season long for Inter Miami registering five goals and fifteen assists for the Herons. Those numbers would be really good for an attacking midfielder and they are awe-inspiring for a left-back.

Final Thoughts

Atlanta United, led by Brad Guzan’s superhuman effort in goal, gave Miami a tough test in the first match of the three-game series. If not for Guzan, Inter Miami could have won the game comfortably instead of sweating the result until the end. In Atlanta, I predict that the Herons will have better results finishing goal-scoring opportunities and Brad Guzan won’t have another incredible match. Messi and Friends should be able to end the series in Atlanta.

The Herons suffer a tough match but pull out the 2-1 win over Atl United…#Messi didn’t have a great match but Suarez, Alba, & Busquets lead Miami to the win…#InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/iroI99qmS3

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 26, 2024