Atlanta United pulled off a stunning 2-1 playoff victory over Inter Miami on Saturday, dashing Lionel Messi’s hopes of leading the team to MLS Cup glory.
In front of 68,455 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Portuguese winger Xande Silva scored a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, leveling the best-of-three postseason series at 1-1 and setting up a decisive game three next Saturday in Miami.
Miami, the top seed, had taken a 2-1 lead in the series after winning the first game last week. They looked poised to advance after Paraguay’s David Martinez scored in the 40th minute, capitalizing on a blunder by former US goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who mishandled a routine clearance.
Atlanta responded fiercely in the second half, equalizing in the 58th minute when Derrick Williams headed in a goal. The match was a back-and-forth affair with both teams creating chances. In the 89th minute, Atlanta’s Saba Lobjanidze nearly scored, but Miami’s goalkeeper Drake Callender deflected his shot onto the crossbar.
With the game seemingly headed for a penalty shootout, Atlanta launched a final attack, and Aleksey Miranchuk set up Silva, who delivered the decisive strike into the top corner.
“Words can’t describe it; they’re such a resilient group,” said Atlanta coach Rob Valentino. “I told the team it’s about everyone together, and then a substitute comes on and wins us the game.”
In another playoff match on Saturday, New York City FC triumphed over FC Cincinnati 3-1, forcing a third and final game in their first-round series.
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