Most absurd goal: Brad Guzan condemns Atlanta to Leagues Cup defeat with a spectacular own goal

The Leagues Cup tournament has barely begun, and it has already produced one of the most surprising and bizarre events, one that will long be remembered by football fans. In their opening match, Atlanta United lost 3-1 to Mexican side Necaxa, but it wasn't the result that became the main talking point. What caught the attention of fans and commentators alike was the absurd own goal that sealed the team's defeat in the MLS.

Brad Guzan, an experienced goalkeeper, former US international, and Premier League player, took center stage. In the second half, a harmless cross from the opposition was met with a series of unfortunate events. The ball deflected off an Atlanta defender, hit the post, and then… ricocheted off Guzan's back and into the net.

The shock was total – both in the stadium and on screen. Commentators immediately dubbed it "the most bizarre goal of the entire tournament," and a video of the incident quickly went viral on social media. Fans, though disappointed with the result, couldn't hide their amusement at the absurdity of the entire situation.

For Atlanta United, it was a heavy blow – not only sportingly, but also psychologically. The team had hoped for a strong start to the Leagues Cup and had announced an ambitious push for the knockout stages. Unfortunately, the first match demonstrated that the path to success would not be easy. Coach Gonzalo Pineda tried to temper the emotions after the match, emphasizing that the team "must learn from this" and "focus on the next matches."

Despite the defeat and the infamous goal, Atlanta still has a chance for redemption. However, achieving this will require complete concentration and rebuilding confidence in the defense. And Brad Guzan—though he'd probably like to forget about that goal as soon as possible—has already become the subject of one of the most memorable scenes of the 2025 Leagues Cup.