Lionel Messi and Co. Stunned in MLS Playoffs as Atlanta United Sink Inter Miami

Latest update:November 03, 2024 08:37 IST

The game looked set for a penalty shootout when Atlanta made a last-ditch raid on the Miami goal to bury the winner.

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami (AFP)

Atlanta United pulled off a dramatic 2-1 playoff win over Inter Miami on Saturday, dashing Lionel Messi’s hopes of leading the Florida club to MLS Cup glory.

Portuguese striker Xande Silva scored a sensational victory over Atlanta in the fourth minute of stoppage time in front of 68,455 home fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, leveling the best-of-three postseason series and securing the winning double. — all of Game 3 in Miami next Saturday.

Top-seeded Miami, a 2-1 winner in Game 1 last week, looked to win the series after taking the lead through Paraguay’s David Martinez in the 40th minute after a horrific error by former U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Guzan could only watch in horror as he botched a routine clearance from his own penalty area, allowing Federico Redondo to gain possession and pass to Martinez, who scored into an empty net to make it 1-0.

But Atlanta mounted a furious attack in the second half to try to salvage its season and was rewarded when Derrick Williams headed in the equalizer in the 58th minute.

In back-to-back play, both teams then created chances, with Georgia international Saba Lobzhanidze nearly scoring for Atlanta in the 89th minute, only to see his shot hit the woodwork of Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.

It looked like the game might go to penalties when Atlanta made a last-ditch raid on the Miami goal, and when Alexey Miranchuk found Silva, the Portuguese substitute made no mistake and fired the winner into the top corner.

“Words can’t describe it, they’re such a resilient group,” Atlanta coach Rob Valentino said after the win.

“I told the team before the game that we are all together, not just one person. And then he comes on as a substitute and we win the game.”

New York Level Series

In other MLS playoff action on Saturday, New York City FC defeated FC Cincinnati 3-1 to force a decisive third game of the first-round series.

New York, needing a win to keep their season alive, took the lead in the 22nd minute after Costa Rica’s Alonso Martinez played a smart one-two with Mitja Ilenic and then fired a low shot past the FC Cincinnati goalkeeper. » Roman Celentano.

Brazilian defender Thiago Martins doubled New York’s lead five minutes before halftime, sending the ball home to the back post after a free kick from the right side sowed confusion in the Cincinnati defense.

Third-seeded FC Cincinnati hit back in the 65th minute with a superb individual goal from Argentine forward Luca Orellano, who brought down his marker before firing a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner to make it 2–1.

FC Cincinnati pressed relentlessly for an equalizer in the closing stages and Zimbabwe international Teenage Hadebe should have equalized in the 80th minute but fired a close-range shot straight at New York goalkeeper Matt Freese.

In the final minutes of added time, New York made the game safe: Uruguayan midfielder Santiago Rodriguez won the penalty and scored it himself with a daring panenka shot into the center of the goal.

Game 3 of the series will take place in Cincinnati next Saturday.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news feed – AFP)