A brilliant piece of patience and surprise from Atlanta United striker Jamal Thiare has set the internet alight after the Five Stripes knocked off Toronto FC.
With Toronto keeper Luka Gavran holding onto the ball while laying on the ground, Thiare went to go pick up a water bottle before slowly walking up behind Gavran.
The moment that Gavran dropped the ball on the ground to try and kick it, Thiare pounced – stealing it off the feet of the keeper and scoring in an empty net in the final minute of stoppage time.
That goal sealed the victory for Atlanta United and took off on social media with reaction coming in from across the world of sports.
Even ESPN’s Pat McAfee saw it and commented, ‘”Hidden dude trick” game winner’ on Twitter.
Atlanta United’s Jamal Thaire (L) snuck up behind Toronto’s keeper and scored a goal late
Fans were shocked and surprised at Thiare’s quick thinking leading to the Atlanta victory
Apple TV analyst Taylor Twellman alluded to the goal by re-sharing a video of Robbie Keane doing a similar move when he was playing for Tottenham against Birmingham City.
Atlanta United podcaster Joe Patrick joked, ‘We spend all week recording hours of podcasts, reviewing film, thoroughly analyzing the players and coaches to try to determine how the game will ultimately play out. And they just do this shit.’
‘I genuinely always kind of wondered if this was a thing that could happen and apparently the answer is “yes”,’ said the New York Times’ Jane Coaston.
‘Incredible. That is an all-timer,’ wrote Fox Sports college football writer Bryan Fischer.
MLS analyst Matthew Doyle wrote, ‘You see a goal like this maybe once every 5 years. A goal like this to win the game 7 minutes into stoppage? Never seen anything like it. Not even in MLS.’
With the victory, Atlanta United draw even with Toronto on points – but are behind them on goals scored by just one.
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