Pat McAfee leads stunned reaction to Atlanta United winner vs Toronto as Jamal Thiare HIDES behind the keeper before stealing the ball to score!
A brilliant display of patience and surprise from Atlanta United forward Jamal Thiare has set the internet alight after the Five Stripes knocked out Toronto FC.
As Toronto goalie Luka Gavran held the ball while lying on the ground, Thiare went to get a bottle of water and slowly walked behind Gavran.
As Gavran dropped the ball to the ground to try to kick it, Thiare pounced on it, stole the ball from the keeper’s feet and scored into an empty net in the final minute of injury time.
That goal sealed the victory for Atlanta United and sparked reactions on social media from across the sporting world.
Even ESPN’s Pat McAfee saw it and said on Twitter, “Game winner hidden guy trick.”
Atlanta United’s Jamal Thaire (L) sneaked behind the Toronto goalkeeper and scored a goal late
Fans were shocked and surprised by Thiare’s quick thinking that led to victory in Atlanta
Apple TV analyst Taylor Twellman hinted at the goal by sharing a video of Robbie Keane making a similar move while playing for Tottenham against Birmingham City.
Atlanta United podcaster Joe Patrick joked, “We spend hours all week recording podcasts, watching film, really analyzing the players and the coaches to try to figure out how the game is going to end. And they just do this shit.”
“I’ve always wondered if this could really happen, and apparently the answer is ‘yes,'” said Jane Coaston of the New York Times.
‘Unbelievable. That’s an all-timer,” Fox Sports college football writer Bryan Fischer wrote.
MLS analyst Matthew Doyle wrote: “You see a goal like that maybe once every five years. A goal like this to win the game with 7 minutes of injury time? You’ve never seen anything like it. Not even in MLS.”
The win leaves Atlanta United level with Toronto on points, but only one goal behind them.