Thiare steals the ball from the Toronto goalie and scores the winning goal for Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — Jamal Thiare 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, Ronald Hernández of Atlanta saw his shot blocked by Shane O’Neill of Toronto FC. Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran covered the ball and as he was about to put the ball in play, Thiaré came from behind, took the ball and fired 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, received a return pass from Ríos, then beat Gavran with a strong right-footed delivery from left side.

Toronto equalized in the first minute of the second half when Federico Bernardeschi scored with a left-footed shot from the center of the area. He slipped his shot past three defenders and beat Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan at the left post.

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

FOLLOWING

Toronto FC returns home to host Orlando City on Wednesday.

Atlanta United will travel to face the New England Revolution on Wednesday.

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The Associated Press