Lionel Messi's Inter suffers defeat to Atlanta United in MLS Playoffs, Miami to host crucial decider next week

Portuguese forward Xande Silva scored a stunning winning goal for Atlanta in the final moments of stoppage time, thrilling the 68,455 home fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This goal leveled the best-of-three postseason series at 1-1, setting the stage for a decisive game three in Miami next Saturday.

XANDE SILVA IN STOPPAGE TIME!!!!!!!@ATLUTD // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/PlCDI9x3YF

Top seeds Miami, 2-1 winners in game one last week, had looked to be heading for a series victory after taking the lead through Paraguay international David Martinez in the 40th minute after a terrible blunder by former US goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

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Guzan could only watch in horror after he bungled a routine clearance from his own penalty area, allowing Federico Redondo to gather possession and square a pass to Martinez who finished into an empty net for 1-0.

But Atlanta launched a furious second-half onslaught as they battled to save their season and were rewarded when Derrick Williams crashed in a header to equalize in the 58th minute.

An end-to-end game saw both teams create chances thereafter, and Georgia international Saba Lobjanidze almost hooked in a goal for Atlanta in the 89th minute only to see his shot tipped onto the woodwork by Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.

The game looked poised to go to a penalty shoot-out when Atlanta launched a desperate last raid on the Miami goal, and when Aleksey Miranchuk found Silva, the Portuguese substitute made no mistake and buried a winner into the top corner.

"Words can't describe it, they’re such a resilient group," Atlanta coach Rob Valentino said after the win. "I said to the team before the game it's everybody together, it's not going to be one person. And then a substitute comes on and wins us the game."

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