Griezmann Brace Leads Orlando City Past Atlanta United in Five-Goal Rivalry Clash

ATLANTA, Ga. — Orlando City SC earned an important 3-2 road victory over Atlanta United on Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, overcoming an early deficit behind two goals from Antoine Griezmann and a second-half strike from Iván Angulo. Atlanta benefited from two Orlando own goals, including one in stoppage time, but the Lions held on to collect all three points and move into sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 10 regular-season matches remaining.

Shot By: Uriel Chavez - Florenza

Atlanta made the stronger start and nearly created the opening goal in the fourth minute when Elías Báez delivered a ball toward Tomás Jacob, whose first-time attempt went over the crossbar. Three minutes later, the Five Stripes found their breakthrough from a set piece. Alexey Miranchuk delivered a short-corner cross toward Paulo Díaz at the back post, and Díaz headed the ball back toward Breel Embolo. Embolo attempted to finish from close range, but the ball deflected off Orlando defender David Brekalo and into the net for an own goal, giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.

Shot By: Uriel Chavez - Florenza

Orlando responded by becoming increasingly dangerous in transition. Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos denied Martín Ojeda during a one-on-one opportunity in the 14th minute and again forced him into a difficult angle only a few minutes later. The pressure eventually produced an equalizer in the 26th minute when Griffin Dorsey released Joran Gerbet down the right side. Gerbet entered the penalty area and sent a low cross toward the near post, where Griezmann got ahead of his defender and squeezed his finish past Hoyos to make it 1-1.

Shot By: Uriel Chavez - Florenza

Griezmann and Ojeda remained central to Orlando's attacking play throughout the remainder of the first half, repeatedly finding pockets of space between Atlanta's fullbacks and center backs. Atlanta continued producing opportunities of its own despite having less possession, and the teams entered halftime tied after an evenly contested opening 45 minutes. Atlanta also welcomed back midfielder Jay Fortune, who made his first start since July 17 following consecutive hamstring injuries, while Breel Embolo and Mauricio Amaro made their home debuts for the club.

The second half started cautiously before Orlando took control in the 58th minute. Captain Robin Jansson sent a lofted ball over Atlanta's defensive line toward Ojeda, who controlled the pass and moved into the attacking third before finding Iván Angulo open inside the area. Angulo calmly finished the opportunity to give Orlando a 2-1 advantage. The goal was initially followed by an offside decision before being allowed to stand.

Shot By: Uriel Chavez - Florenza

Atlanta attempted to respond by using the width of the field and sending more deliveries into Orlando's penalty area. Hoyos also kept the Five Stripes within one goal with an important double save in the 74th minute, including a stop against Griezmann. However, Orlando's French star would not be denied for long.

In the 77th minute, Griezmann capitalized on an Atlanta turnover in the final third and drove toward goal. He combined quickly with Justin Ellis, receiving the return pass behind the defense before calmly finishing one-on-one against Hoyos to extend Orlando's advantage to 3-1. It was Griezmann's second goal of the night and his second brace since joining the Lions.

Shot By: Uriel Chavez - Florenza

The performance continued an impressive beginning to Griezmann's MLS career. His two goals were his seventh and eighth across all competitions for Orlando City, while he reached 10 MLS goal contributions — seven goals and three assists — in only his ninth league appearance. That moved him ahead of former Orlando star Nani for the most goal contributions by a Lions player through his first nine MLS matches. Griezmann has also recorded eight goal contributions over his last five appearances across all competitions.

Angulo's goal was his second of the season across all competitions and the 14th of his Orlando City career. Ojeda recorded his 44th career assist for the Lions, leaving him three behind former midfielder Mauricio Pereyra for the club record, while Ellis picked up his ninth assist of the season on Griezmann's second goal.

Shot By: Uriel Chavez - Florenza

Despite trailing by two, Atlanta continued pushing during the closing stages. Substitute Luke Brennan nearly found an opportunity from close range in the 84th minute, while Orlando was forced into a goal-line clearance four minutes later following a Miguel Almirón cross. Atlanta eventually pulled one back deep into stoppage time when Enea Mihaj headed a set piece across goal and the ball deflected off Orlando's Tyrese Spicer for an own goal in the 90+7th minute.

The late goal created a tense finish, but Orlando successfully managed the remaining seconds to secure the 3-2 victory. Remarkably, both Atlanta goals were officially credited as Orlando own goals, with Brekalo responsible for the opener and Spicer's deflection providing Atlanta's second.

For Orlando, the result improved the Lions to 9-11-4 with 31 points, moving them into sixth place in the Eastern Conference as the postseason race continued. Interim head coach Martín Perelman emphasized after the match that Orlando had entered one of the most important stages of its season, while Gerbet described the result as a significant road victory in a rivalry match.

For Atlanta, the defeat dropped the Five Stripes to 6-14-4 with 22 points. Tata Martino's side produced dangerous moments and continued fighting until stoppage time, but Orlando's quick combinations and efficiency in decisive attacking situations ultimately separated the teams.

Orlando now leaves Atlanta with three valuable points and another standout performance from Griezmann, whose influence has quickly become central to the Lions' attack. Atlanta, meanwhile, will look to respond after an evening in which an early lead and a late push were not enough to overcome Orlando's second-half finishing.

FINAL: Atlanta United 2–3 Orlando City SC
Goals: David Brekalo OG 7', Antoine Griezmann 26', Iván Angulo 58', Antoine Griezmann 77', Tyrese Spicer OG 90+7'
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
Competition: 2026 MLS Regular Season
Orlando City record after match: 9-11-4, 31 points
Atlanta United record after match: 6-14-4, 22 points