Lionel Messi will play a three game series for the first time in his career.
Inter Miami suffered a last-minute loss in the MLS playoffs against Atlanta United in the second game of the three game series of the East Conference quarterfinals on Saturday, with an electric Mercedes-Benz Stadium putting a stop to Lionel Messi’s incredible streak with The Herons.
Watch: Brad Guzan mistake vs. Inter Miami
The first goal of the match came just minutes before the end of the first half, with former USMNT goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, making probably the most unorthodox goalkeeping mistake we’ve ever seen.
Guzan was to make a clearance when Miami’s Federico Redondo got into his path, making the American goalkeeper drop the ball and leaving it at the edge of the box that ended in a slick chipped-goal from David Martínez to open the scoring in Atlanta.
Miami have the opener and it was bizarre. @InterMiamiCF // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/u2M3EQawbF
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2024
Since Guzan avoided the contact with Redondo, central referee, Rubiel Vázquez, did not call a foul and the goal stood despite all of complaints from the Atlanta United squad.
This goal ultimately shifted the attacking momentum of the game, with Atlanta now pushing forward to bring the score level. And succeeding.
It wasn't until the 58th minute when a perfect Pedro Amador cross from the left flank found Derrick Williams through a nicely placed header to make it 1-1.
GAME. ON.
What a ball from Pedro Amador to set up the equalizer! // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ZxpGURvEEJ— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 3, 2024
The following 30 minutes saw both teams with a plethora of chances to take the lead, with Miami’s Drake Callender coming up huge with an amazing save to deflect a Saba Lobjanidze volley.
OH MY!!!
Almost a sensational winner for Atlanta... // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0K18QuoECJ— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 3, 2024
Callender kept Miami alive. Or so we thought.
Watch: Xande Silva last-minute goal vs. Inter Miami
Just seconds after Messi had scored in an offside position, a quick counter-attack from Atlanta, connected at the edge of the 18-yard-box, ended with a bullet right-footed strike from Xande Silva.
XANDE SILVA IN STOPPAGE TIME!!!!!!!@ATLUTD // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/PlCDI9x3YF
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 3, 2024
This Atlanta win leaves the series tied 1-1, with the best-of-three playoff tie between the clubs going to a final game back in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
