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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 09: Brad Guzan #1 of Atlanta United reacts against Inter Miami during the first half of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup playoffs at Chase Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Inter Miami 2-3 Atlanta United
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Inter Miami’s record-breaking season came to an abrupt end at Chase Stadium on Saturday night when they were beaten by an Atlanta side that has constantly been a thorn in The Heron’s side.
Having won a game each in the best of three, Miami were the favorites as they hosted Atlanta for the final match and decider. And with an entire squad to select from it was something of a shock to see them crash out so early.
It had started so well for Miami as they looked to play their regular game and control things from the start. A great one-two between Lionel Messi and Diego Gomez down the left wing opened up the chance for Messi. The outstanding Brad Guzan saved the first shot but could not do anything about the follow-up from Matius Rojas, who fired it home to start the goal rush.
With little more than a moment to settle themselves, Miami conceded when Jamal Thiare took advantage of some poor defending and rifled home, giving Drake Callender no chance.
The defensive chaos continued two minutes later when Atlanta picked up a poor pass from David Martinez out of defense. Alexey Miranchuk slipped the ball into Thiare, who scored his second goal in as many minutes.
It was a shocking few minutes for Miami. Having scored the early goal, they looked to be in control but were completely undone by their own mistakes and paid the biggest price.
The goal fest continued when the home side thought they had restored parity just moments later when Gomez beat Guzan, but he was called offside, and the goal was ruled out.
Miami continued to search for the equalizer, but they couldn’t unlock the defense and Guzan seemed to be in the form of his life, and they had to go in at halftime behind.
With Messi, Luis Saurez, and Jordi Alba on the pitch, you would have expected Miami to come out firing, and Alba almost scored with his head, but for Guzan, who made a spectacular save to protect the Five Stripes lead.
The pressure was constant and eventually told as Miami continued to probe. A neat move down the right saw Marcelo Weigandt cross for Messi to head home and level the game.
At that point, it was all Miami, and you were expecting them to turn the screw and finish the game. But it wasn’t to be, as Atlanta sealed the win with a thumping header from Bartosz Slisz, who met the ball unchallenged in the penalty area to fire his side into the lead, a lead that they would not lose.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Messi and his team of superstars. But you can’t take anything away from Atlanta, who came from behind to beat the Supporters’ Shield holders and move into the next stage, leaving Miami to lick their wounds and think of what might have been.
