Inter Miami was knocked out in the first round of MLS Playoffs with a result of 3-2 in their second straight to Atlanta United on Sunday. Inter Miami’s artificial pitch proved too much of a test for the home side. Atlanta United won just 10 matches of their 34 games with a negative goal difference and entered playoffs.
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Atlanta’s Heroic Comeback Leaves Inter Miami on the Verge of Elimination
Atlanta won 2-1 in the second match of the best-of-three series, with Inter needing a result on Sunday. Messi made his MLS Playoffs debut as they won the first match 2- 1. Inter took the lead in the 17th minute through Matias Rojas, but Atlanta hit back in two minutes squall and drew level through a double from Jamal Thiare in the 19th and 21st minute to secure the win for the underdogs in the final match.
Messi took one second to net the equalizer as Inter Miami, who looked lost inside the box, was just about to collapse out of the playoffs when he scored a rare header in the 65th minute.
Late Drama: Atlanta’s Slisz Stuns Miami
Atlanta’s Bartosz Slisz changed the course of the match when he scored late — well timed, running into the box with Miami defenders that seemed too tired to mark the footballer — sealing the robbing goal with a free header in the 76th minute as Inter Miami desperately held on to the 2-2 scoreline to force a penalty shootout.
At the other end, Messi had a couple of chances at the end of the game, but both of his freekicks hit the Atlanta wall.
“It’s everyone. “It’s a collaborative effort,” Atlanta United interim coach Rob Valentino explained. “We discussed it before the game and throughout the year that it would not be just one person. It’s a collaborative effort, and that’s what occurred tonight.
Messi’s Dream Season Takes a Major Hit
Inter and Messi are unmarked by a massive upset, even if Atlanta are 9 seed while Miami are top seed, it’s a club who have spent heavily on Messi (who on $20,446,667 for this season alone, costs them $5 million more than Atlanta’s entire salary budget).
Messi exploded towards the dressing room just moments after the loss and skipped Atlanta’s celebration.
Now, Atlanta United will face No. 4 seed Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semi-final, while No.6 New York City FC will take on seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls in the other East semi-final.
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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