Lionel Messi and Inter Miami‘s quest for the MLS Cup got here to a stunning finish on Saturday night time, as Atlanta United delivered a shocking 3-2 upset within the first spherical of the playoffs, sending the top-seeded workforce residence sooner than anybody anticipated.
Jamal Thiare scored twice, and Bartosz Slisz’s header within the 76th minute secured the win for Atlanta, who now superior to the Jap Convention semifinals.
Messi, the world’s most embellished participant, tied the match 2-2 within the 65th minute with an surprising header, however two late free kicks hit the wall of Atlanta defenders, and Inter Miami could not discover a manner again into the sport. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was instrumental for Atlanta, making a number of essential saves to protect the lead.
Atlanta, the ninth seed, will now face No. four Orlando Metropolis within the Jap Convention semifinal, whereas New York Metropolis FC and the New York Purple Bulls sq. off within the different East semifinal. The playoff panorama has been upended, with larger seeds like No. 2 Columbus and No. Three Cincinnati already eradicated.
Inter Miami, who had a record-breaking common season, claimed the Supporters’ Defend and earned a spot in subsequent yr’s Membership World Cup. Nonetheless, their early playoff exit will probably be remembered as a large failure, particularly given the workforce’s important funding.
Messi’s whole compensation of over $20 million exceeded Atlanta’s total payroll by $5 million, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to propel Inter Miami past the primary spherical.
Atlanta’s victory was no fluke — they defeated Inter Miami thrice this season, all with Messi within the lineup.
A fast five-minute, three-goal stretch within the first half set the tone, with Thiare scoring twice to erase Miami’s early 1-Zero lead, courtesy of Diego Gómez. Regardless of Messi’s second-half heroics, Atlanta held agency and accomplished one of many greatest upsets in MLS playoff historical past.
