Lionel Messi did have a significant role to play in the match, setting up a goal for Jordi Alba in the 60th minute.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had chances at goals time and time again, only to keep being denied. Turns out, all he needed to do was deliver the right pass at the right time.Jordi Alba turned a pass from Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez also scored and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday night in the opening game of a best-of-three first round Major League Soccer playoff series.It was not the easiest of openers for the Supporters Shield winners, the No. 1 overall seed in the MLS Cup playoffs — a team that set a league record with 74 points in the regular season, 34 points ahead of wild-card Atlanta in the standings.Saba Lobjanidze scored for Atlanta, which got nine saves from goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Game 2 will be Nov. 2 at Atlanta — the last road game of the season, no matter what, for Inter Miami. Game 3, if necessary, will be Nov. 9 in Fort Lauderdale.Inter Miami's first-ever home playoff game and Messi's MLS playoff debut was sold out — Messi games almost…

Jordi Alba scored in the 60th minute to break the tie

The Herons are the favorites to win it all, but first up are Atlanta United