There will be no MLS Cup for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami this year. Atlanta United saw to that with a massive upset, sending the game’s most decorated player and biggest-spending team home earlier than anyone imagined.

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.

Ailing Sergio Busquets has been ruled out of Saturday’s Inter Miami game against Atlanta United, meaning Lionel Messi will be without one of his most trusted teammates for the win-or-else playoff matchup.

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.

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.

Atlanta United players hit the Cristiano Ronaldo celebration after beating Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the MLS play-offs.

Inter Miami suffered a stunning first-round elimination from the 2024 Major League Soccer playoffs after falling 3-2 against Atlanta United at Chase Stadium on Saturday night.

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

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.

Inter Miami lost a second consecutive game to Atlanta United, and crashed out of the MLS playoffs in the first round.