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In a hard-fought battle featuring Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF, Atlanta United FC claimed a 2-1 victory with a dramatic extra-time goal, sealing the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and handing Miami a disappointing Game 2 loss in the MLS Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The 22-8-4 Miami team and the 10-10-14 Atlanta team are now knotted at 1-1 in the series thanks to a last minute goal by Atlanta’s Xande Silva.
It wasn’t until the 40th minute that either team found the net, with Miami striking first on a goal from David Martinez, assisted by Federico Redondo. Right after halftime, Atlanta responded with a goal from Derrick Williams, leveling the score at 1-1.
The score remained tied at the end of regulation, leading to four minutes of stoppage time. Right out of the gate, Atlanta’s Silva found the net off an assist from Aleksey Miranchuk, securing the victory.
Sportskeeda Football @skworldfootball
ATLANTA UNITED WINS IT LATE OVER INTER MIAMI! ๐ฅ๐คฏ<br><br>Now, Inter Miami will face Atlanta United at home in a decisive third game for a spot in the MLS Quarter-Finals! ๐ฅ<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/LionelMessi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#LionelMessi</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIAvATL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MIAvATL</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href=”https://t.co/kdbHZ9CtC5″>pic.twitter.com/kdbHZ9CtC5</a>
Despite Miami holding 58.6 percent possession, they managed only two shots on goal compared to Atlanta’s four. Messi remains scoreless in his first MLS postseason games.
After the match, Miami fans took to social media to express their disappointment over the loss to the lower-ranked Atlanta team.
Daniel ๐ฆ๐ท @FanOfMessi_
Very well deserved defeat. And if you ask me, Inter Miami doesn’t deserve to make it to the semifinals. You can’t play like that if you’re aiming to win the cup. Messi was erratic at times, his teammates wasted a plethora of opportunities to seal the result. I’m disappointed.
Memphis Depace @NsemekeAkabom
Inter Miami is actually a mid team without Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba. It’s crazy how Messi has been able to win two trophies with this team๐. I regret to say, but I don’t see them progressing to the last 8 with this performance ๐ฅฒ. <a href=”https://t.co/tTpby5Tb3Q”>pic.twitter.com/tTpby5Tb3Q</a>
Miami and Atlanta will face off in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs next Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory in their postseason battle and move onto the quarterfinals.