Watch: Luciano Acosta dominates Atlanta with magical play

Luciano Acosta led a smash-and-grab win for DC United at Atlanta on Sunday, defying his team’s lowly possession stats with a series of delicious dribbles and the go-ahead goal in a 3-1 result.

Ex-Premier League striker Kenwyne Jones gave expansion franchise Atlanta United the lead before Michael Parkhurst turned into his own net to tie the game up. Then Acosta took over, dancing past three defenders before cooly caressing the ball beyond goalkeeper Alec Kann.

The finish was the Argentinian’s team-leading third goal of the season. DC has struggled to find the net this campaign and heading into Sunday’s game, only the Colorado Rapids had fewer goals to their name. Ten minutes into the second half, those cobwebs were well and truly wiped away when Sebastian Le Toux made it 3-1, thanks to a sumptuous through ball from Acosta that left the Atlanta defense wondering what day it was.

In addition to his goal and assist, man of the match Acosta sprinkled his performance with dribbling cameos, including a cheeky nutmeg on Julian Gressel.

As the commentator on FS1 said, “He may be small, but he plays big.”