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In a win-or-go-home game featuring Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF against Atlanta United FC, a goal in the 76th minute sealed a 3-2 victory for Atlanta at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. With the win, Atlanta advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, while Miami is eliminated.
Despite Messi scoring a goal in the second half, fans were left stunned by the loss.
Miami held the top seed in the Eastern Conference and with their elimination, all of the top three seeds in the East have been knocked out in the first round.
Miami and Atlanta entered Saturday’s game tied with one win each. Miami took Game 1 with a 2-1 victory, while Atlanta claimed Game 2, also 2-1.
Both teams scored early in the playoff matchup. Inter Miami struck first with a goal from Matias Rojas in the 17th minute, quickly followed by an Atlanta United goal from Jamal Thiare in the 19th minute.
In the 21st minute, forward Thiare scored once again to give Atlanta the 2-1 edge going into half time.
Out of halftime, Messi found his first goal of the postseason in the 65th minute, to even out the score 2-2.
To seal the game, Atlanta’s Bartosz Slisz scored in the 76th minute, securing the victory.
Miami registered a staggering 25 shot attempts compared to Atlanta’s nine and controlled 64.3 percent of possession, yet they couldn’t secure the win.
Following the match, Miami fans voiced their disappointment on social media over the loss to the lower-ranked Atlanta team.
Tom Bogert @tombogert
INTER MIAMI ELIMINATED IN ROUND ONE!<br><br>No. 9 seed Atlanta United beat Inter Miami. Lionel Messi’s playoff run is over.<br><br>This is a shocking result and makes this season a failure for Miami, despite the points record. Simply cannot lose in round one to a team who had 34 less points. <a href=”https://t.co/B62J6VJvTA”>pic.twitter.com/B62J6VJvTA</a>
Xavier Guerrero @XGLAVOZ
DOWN GOES MIAMI!!! <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/InterMiamiCF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#InterMiamiCF</a> is eliminated from the <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> !!! Perhaps the biggest upset in <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLS</a> historyโฆThe top 3 seeds in the East are sent home in the first roundโฆThe season ends in shame & pain for <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Messi</a> & Miamiโฆ<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCup</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLS</a> <a href=”https://t.co/eeq5czOQNB”>pic.twitter.com/eeq5czOQNB</a>
John Evenson @EvensonCBS12
Messi and Inter Miami with an absolute shocking loss to Atlanta. The winners of the Supporters’ Shield knocked out in the first round of the MLS playoffs <a href=”https://twitter.com/CBS12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@CBS12</a> <a href=”https://t.co/ILpvask1sO”>pic.twitter.com/ILpvask1sO</a>
John Evenson @EvensonCBS12
Messi and Inter Miami with an absolute shocking loss to Atlanta. The winners of the Supporters’ Shield knocked out in the first round of the MLS playoffs <a href=”https://twitter.com/CBS12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@CBS12</a> <a href=”https://t.co/ILpvask1sO”>pic.twitter.com/ILpvask1sO</a>
Moises Linares @MlinaresDC
MASSIVE FAILURE! Inter Miami are out! The least likely team! The Wild Card, 9th place in the East has eliminated the record setting Inter Miami that just CHOKED out of the playoffs. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> 3-2 Atlanta United you deserve to advance. No coach, no true DP! Incredible.
Jacob Schneider @_jacobschneider
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have been eliminated from 2024 MLS postseason contention.<br><br>The No. 1 overall seed, regular-season champions & MLS points-record setters are OUT in Round One.<br><br>No. 9 seed Atlanta United and Brad Guzan SHOCK the world.<br><br>Biggest upset in MLS history.
Atlanta advances to face No. 4 Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.