Inter Miami won the first game in the series but were outplayed by Atlanta in the next two games to face elimination.
Atlanta United moves into the Eastern Conference semifinals after beating star-studded Inter Miami in the final game of a three-match series. Messi & Co. failed to cross the first hurdle of the playoffs and suffered a 3-2 defeat despite taking an early lead.
Inter Miami had a leaky defence throughout the game but they opened the scoring in the 17th minute after Brad Guzan’s deflection on a direct shot from Messi bounced toward Matias Rojas who set up a goal. Atlanta didn’t wait for the equaliser, thanks to Jamal Thiare’s strike two minutes later.
In the 21st minute, Dax McCarty found Aleksey Miranchuk, who dished it to Thiare for the second goal and he helped the Five Stripes to take a 2-1 lead. It was the pathetic defence from Miami defender David Martínez. Meanwhile, Miami pulled off another goal which was disqualified as Diego Gomez was offside before sending the ball into the net.
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The second half started and it was a dominating display from Atlanta. However, Miami found the equaliser through Messi who scored his first goal of the playoffs, heading home a cross from Weigandt from the centre of the box. Slisz scored the winner after Miami defender Avilés went down in the 76th minute. Suarez’s one shot was also saved by Guzan through a dive to his left side. Later, Miami got two corners in injury time but failed to find an equaliser.
Inter Miami won the first game in the series but were outplayed by Atlanta in the next two games to face elimination. Atlanta United will now take on Orlando City in the Conference semifinals. The Five Stripes beat Charlotte FC 4-1 in penalty shootout on Saturday night. This game will be winner-take-all and Atlanta would enter as favourites after upsetting the best team of the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta Goalkeeper Guzan was adjusted as the player of the match for stunning saves during the games. He was on cloud nine after overcoming Miami on the road. “Grinding and believing. We were resilient. There’s some fairy dust in our locker room… proud of our guys. Guzan said after an emphatic 3-2 win.
