Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a shock elimination in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs on Saturday, losing 3-2 to No. 9 seed Atlanta United on home soil in the best-of-three series decider.

Inter Miami has played Atlanta five times this year, and won just once, 2-1 in the playoff opener at home. Atlanta beat Miami 3-1 back in May, they tied 2-2 in September, and Atlanta stunned Miami on Saturday to force Game 3 with an extra-time game winner by Xande Silva before a crowd of 68,455 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Analyzing Saturday’s Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United FC odds and lines, with expert MLS picks, predictions and best bets.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in a stunning upset, losing 3-2 at home to ninth-seeded Atlanta United on Saturday at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami takes on Atlanta United in Game Three of Round One in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs at Chase Stadium in a win-or-go-home match. The Herons opened up the Best-of-Three series with a 2–1 win at home as a Jordi Alba long-range strike sealed the victory for Miami.

In a major upset, Atlanta United eliminated Inter Miami from the MLS playoffs, winning 3-2 in a thrilling Game 3. Jason Longshore is a color commentator for Atlanta United and he joined “All Things Considered” to talk about the Five Stripes’ comeback victory and what’s next for the underdog team.

Two free kicks by Messi in the final minutes hit the wall of Atlanta defenders, and time eventually ran out on soccer’s most decorated player and his team.