Result: Atlanta vs Inter Miami, MLS Cup Playoffs** – On a day when superstar Lionel Messi missed several golden opportunities, Inter Miami faced a bitter defeat with a last-minute goal, thus waiting for the third match to determine their chance to advance.
Inter Miami suffered a painful defeat at Atlanta’s home in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs, losing the chance to advance early to the next round.
The match was lively from the very beginning, with both teams creating dangerous opportunities. In the 3rd minute, Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez received a precise pass at the edge of the penalty area and took a promising shot, but unfortunately, the ball went over the crossbar.
In the 22nd minute, Lionel Messi threatened the home team’s goal with a chance inside the box, but the Argentine superstar’s shot narrowly missed the post.
Atlanta then responded with some strong counter-attacks, notably a sharp shot from Aleksey Miranchuk from the edge of the penalty area, but goalkeeper Drake Callender was focused and made a beautiful diving save.
The turning point of the match came in the 40th minute when Inter Miami unexpectedly opened the scoring with a goal from David Martinez. The Paraguayan defender capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Brad Guzan and delicately chipped the ball into an empty net.
This was also the last notable moment of the match, and the visiting team went into halftime with a lead.
In the second half, Atlanta actively increased the pace of the game, and this strategy paid off. In the 58th minute, from a precise cross from a teammate, Derrick Williams executed a spectacular header to equalize for the home team.
After conceding the painful goal, Messi and his Inter Miami teammates fought back strongly to regain the lead. However, the 37-year-old’s misfortune, along with some unfortunate misses, meant Inter Miami could not add any more goals.
Meanwhile, the home team also created several threatening situations at the visitors’ goal, particularly highlighted by a shot from Saba Lobjanidze that hit the crossbar in the 90th minute.
Just when it seemed the match would go to a penalty shootout, Atlanta made a sharp combination play in the midfield, creating an opportunity for Xande Silva to unleash a dangerous shot that defeated goalkeeper Callender in the dying moments of stoppage time, sealing the match with a 2-1 victory for the home team.
This victory keeps Atlanta’s hopes alive for advancing to the semifinals of the MLS Cup, and they will travel to Lockhart, Inter Miami’s home ground, to determine who will claim the ticket to advance.
