Lionel Messi, Inter Miami flop out of MLS playoffs, stunned by Atlanta

Lionel Messi’s First MLS Playoffs End in Stunning Upset
Lionel Messi’s MLS playoff debut began with high expectations but ended in a shocking upset. Messi and Inter Miami, the top seed, were knocked out in the first round after a second consecutive loss to Atlanta United — a team that barely made the playoffs. Despite Messi scoring his first playoff goal to level Game 3 at 2-2, Atlanta responded with Bartosz Slisz’s 76th-minute header, leading to a 3-2 victory.
Inter Miami were clear favorites, having dominated the regular season. They easily won Game 1 of the three-game series but faltered in Game 2 with a 2-1 loss. This set up a decisive Game 3, where Atlanta, the ninth seed, stunned Miami. Jamal Thiaré’s two goals gave Atlanta a 2-1 halftime lead, and despite Messi’s efforts, Atlanta’s Brad Guzan made several crucial saves, securing the upset.
Messi and his team were constant threats but lacked their usual dominance. Suarez's penalty dive was ignored, and Messi's free kicks were blocked. At the final whistle, Miami’s title hopes were dashed, leaving the Eastern Conference wide open.
This loss is a blow for MLS, losing some playoff allure with Messi’s exit. Despite Miami’s record 74-point season, their defensive vulnerabilities and reliance on Messi and Suarez ultimately led to their downfall.

What Went Wrong for Messi and Inter Miami?
Miami were victims of soccer’s unpredictability, creating more and better chances but falling to Guzan’s heroics. Their defensive frailties, lacking a stable center-back pairing and midfield structure, resurfaced. Individual mistakes, especially without a fully fit Sergio Busquets, proved costly. Miami’s season-long defensive issues, often masked by their attacking prowess, were exposed in this decisive game.