Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) and Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) fought for control of the ball during the second half in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. — Reuters
Atlanta United secured a dramatic 2-1 playoff victory over Inter Miami on Saturday, shattering Lionel Messi's aspirations of guiding the Florida club to MLS Cup glory. Portuguese winger Xande Silva scored a sensational winner for Atlanta in the fourth minute of stoppage time in front of 68,455 home fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, tying the best-of-three postseason series 1-1 and setting up a decisive game three in Miami next Saturday.
Top seeds Miami, who won 2-1 in game one last week, appeared to be on course for a series victory after taking the lead through Paraguay international David Martinez in the 40th minute. Martinez capitalized on a terrible blunder by former US goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who bungled a routine clearance, allowing Federico Redondo to pass to Martinez for an easy finish.
However, Atlanta launched a fierce second-half assault to save their season, with Derrick Williams heading in an equalizer in the 58th minute. The game saw both teams create chances, with Georgia international Saba Lobjanidze nearly scoring for Atlanta in the 89th minute, only for his shot to be tipped onto the woodwork by Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.
The match seemed destined for a penalty shoot-out when Atlanta made a last-ditch attack on the Miami goal. Aleksey Miranchuk found Silva, who made no mistake and scored the winning goal into the top corner.
In other MLS playoff action on Saturday, New York City FC defeated FC Cincinnati 3-1 to force a decisive game three in their first-round series. New York, needing a victory to keep their season alive, took the lead on 22 minutes after Costa Rica international Alonso Martinez worked a clever one-two with Mitja Ilenic before finishing low past Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
Brazilian defender Thiago Martins doubled New York's lead five minutes before half-time, heading in at the back post after a free-kick from wide on the right caused confusion in the Cincinnati defense. Third seeds Cincinnati hit back on 65 minutes with a superb individual goal from Argentine forward Luca Orellano, who nutmegged his marker before unleashing a powerful left-foot shot into the top corner.
Cincinnati pressed relentlessly for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Zimbabwe international Teenage Hadebe missed a close-range shot in the 80th minute. In the closing minutes of stoppage time, New York secured the win with Uruguayan midfielder Santiago Rodriguez scoring a cheeky 'panenka' penalty.
Game three in the series will take place in Cincinnati next Saturday.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
