Atlanta loses first leg of MLS knockout round clash with Inter Miami; Miranchuk subbed off at half-time

Atlanta United fell to a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their MLS Cup Playoff Eastern Conference quarter-final clash with Inter Miami on Sunday, with Russian attacker Aleksei Miranchuk hauled off at the break.

Josef Martinez handed Atlanta the lead after just four minutes, before Leonardo Campana levelled matters just over ten minutes later for the visitors.

Gonzalo Higuain then netted just before the half-hour mark to put Miami in front, with Miranchuk replaced by Thiago Almada at the interval, with Emerson Rodriguez adding a third for the visitors with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The defeat leaves Atlanta with a mountain to climb in the second leg, which will be played at their Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, with Miami looking in a strong position to reach the semi-finals.

What happened?

Atlanta started the match brightly and took the lead inside the opening five minutes when Martinez headed home from close range after getting on the end of Luiz Araujo's cross from the right.

However, Miami responded well to going behind and drew level just after the quarter-hour mark when Campana turned home from close range after being picked out by Higuain.

Higuain then put Miami in front just before the half-hour mark when he slotted home from close range after being played in by Bryce Duke.

Atlanta boss Gonzalo Pineda made a change at the break, with Miranchuk replaced by Almada, but it failed to have the desired effect as Miami continued to dominate.

The visitors eventually added a third goal with just over 20 minutes remaining when Rodriguez fired home from close range after being picked out by Higuain.

Atlanta pushed for a late goal but were unable to find a way past Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, who made a number of fine saves to preserve his clean sheet.

What does it mean?

The defeat leaves Atlanta with a mountain to climb in the second leg, which will be played at their Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20.

Miami, meanwhile, will be confident of reaching the semi-finals after putting in a strong performance in the first leg.

What's next?

The two teams will meet again in the second leg of their quarter-final clash at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20.

The winner of the tie will face either the New England Revolution or FC Cincinnati in the semi-finals.