Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami has been knocked out of the MLS Playoffs by Atalanta United. With all to play for in the third playoff game, it was the ninth-seeded team that outdid the Miami outfits. Lionel Messi did find himself in the scoresheet. but too little was done as Atalanta United reigned supreme.
In the first playoffs, it was Inter Miami who won 2-1. Atalanta United then made a strong comeback in the second game to win 2-1. With the third and final game being deemed as the decider, it was Inter Miami who took the early lead.
Messi Scores, but goes in Vain
But, Atalanta United comeback strongly to make it 2-1. In the second half, Lionel Messi scored a brilliant equalizer. But Bartosz Slisz’s 76th-minute strike was enough to ensure a 3-2 win for the Atalanta outfits who now continue to progress for the MLS Semis.
It has been a massive upset for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami who were handed a shocking defeat. Messi had a great second season in the MLS. He managed to rake up 27 goals and 16 assists for his new side.
But the entire country was sent into a state of shock after Atalanta United staged a massive upset. It was Rojas who scored for Inter Miami in the 17th minute of the game, tapping the ball into the back of the net from Messi’s rebound shot.
Thiare’s twin strike within a span of 2 minutes saw Inter Miami heading into the break with a 2-1 deficit. Lionel Messi’s towering header saw his side bring back parity into the game. But a late strike of Slisz was enough to ensure Atalanta knocked out Miami.
“There’s some fairy dust in our locker room. On to the next one,” said Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan after the game.
