In a thrilling encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a last-gasp goal from substitute Xande Silva in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time clinched a 2-1 victory for Atlanta United over Inter Miami in Game 2 of their first-round MLS Cup playoff series on Saturday night.
This hard-fought clash now stands at 1-1 in the best-of-three playoff format.
Silva, who was introduced to the game in the 89th minute, made a remarkable impact. He received a pass just outside the 18-yard box, charged into the area, and unleashed a powerful strike into the left side of the net, beating Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender. The substitution turned out to be a masterstroke for Atlanta.
In a moment of unbridled joy, Silva tore off his jersey and celebrated exuberantly toward the Inter Miami fans, incurring a yellow card for his passionate display.
Silva’s dramatic strike capped a stunning comeback after Pedro Amador had initiated the momentum shift for Atlanta with a crucial assist in the 58th minute. Amador floated a precise cross into the box that allowed Derrick Williams to make his mark with a header, netting his first goal of the season, including both regular and postseason play.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi had a golden opportunity just five minutes earlier, in the 83rd minute, to put Miami ahead once again when a loose ball fell to him. However, the Argentine maestro’s composure faltered as he sent the ball soaring high over the crossbar from just outside the six-yard box, ensuring the score remained level.
Miami drew first blood in the encounter, scoring in the 40th minute. Atlanta’s experienced goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, attempted to execute a routine clearance but made an error that proved costly. After initially dropping the ball, Guzan hesitated as he sensed Federico Redondo’s approach. Redondo, without making contact, seized the opportunity to pass to David Martinez, who calmly chipped the ball into an unguarded net. Despite a lengthy VAR review, the decision stood, and Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead.
This misstep from Guzan was a stark contrast to his previous performances in the series, where he had recorded eight saves in the opening match and one notable denial on Saturday.
