Lionel Messi’s debut within the MLS postseason got here to a shocking finish on Saturday as Bartosz Slisz scored the decisive header, main Atlanta United to a shocking 3-2 victory over Inter Miami in Round One.
Forward Jamal Thiare obtained Atlanta on the board within the nineteenth minute and struck once more two minutes later earlier than Slisz put them excessive within the 76th minute to arrange a gathering within the semifinal stage in opposition to Orlando City SC.
Miami have been overwhelming favorites to win all of it after producing a league document 74 factors within the common season however couldn’t preserve the momentum after Matias Rojas’ close-range objective within the seventeenth minute and Messi’s rating within the sixty fifth minute.
“There’s some fairy dust in our locker room,” stated Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who held his floor in opposition to Miami’s unrelenting offense. “On to the next one.”
A sea of pink-clad Miami followers held their breath as Thiare hit the woodwork within the fifteenth minute and Atlanta utilized the strain out of the gate.
Guzan made a diving leap to cease Messi’s highly effective shot from the middle of the field within the seventeenth minute however couldn’t recuperate in time to cease Rojas’ follow-up from shut vary, as Miami drew first blood.
Thiare responded rapidly, drilling one into the fitting prime nook, and had one other very good end off a neat flick from midfielder Aleksey Miranchuk within the twenty first minute.
Miami midfielder Diego Gomez almost leveled it within the twenty fourth minute, beating Atlanta defender Ronald Hernandez and slipping the ball previous Guzan, however the objective was referred to as off.
Guzan stored up his guard within the second half, swatting apart an excellent header from defender Jordi Alba within the 52nd minute, however Messi broke by the 40-year-old keeper’s defenses to degree it with the header from shut vary.
With their backs in opposition to the wall, Atlanta refused to take their foot off the gasoline, and Slisz leaped into the air to move one in off an ideal cross from defender Pedro Amador.
Miami earned a free kick in stoppage time, however Messi kicked it right into a wall of Atlanta gamers and frantic late makes an attempt to attain went unrewarded.
Source: www.dailysabah.com