By Canadian Press

Thiare steals ball from Toronto goalie, scores game-winner for Atlanta

Jun 29, 2024 | 9:03 PM

ATLANTA (AP) — Jamal Thiaré stole the ball from the goalkeeper and scored an improbable goal in the final minute of play to lift Atlanta United to a 2-1 Major League Soccer victory over Toronto FC on Saturday night.

In the 97th minute, Atlanta’s Ronald Hernández had his shot blocked by Toronto FC’s Shane O’Neill. Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran covered the ball and as he was preparing to put the ball in play, Thiaré′ came up from behind, took the ball and blasted a right-footed shot into the empty net for the winning goal.

Atlanta’s other goal came in first-half stoppage time when Thiago Almada passed to Daniel Ríos, took a return pass from Ríos, then beat Gavran with a strong right-footed delivery from the left side.

Toronto got the equalizer in the first minute of the second half when Federico Bernardeschi scored with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box. He slipped his shot past three defenders and beat Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan to the left post.

Guzan finished with three saves for Atlanta (6-8-6) and Gavran had four for Toronto (7-11-3), which has lost four straight.

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Toronto FC returns home to host Orlando City on Wednesday.

Atlanta United travels to play the New England Revolution on Wednesday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

The Associated Press