Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have said farewell to the 2024 MLS playoffs after falling to Atlanta United at home in perhaps one of the biggest upsets in recent MLS history.
Atlanta showed an incredible amount of resilience, responding to the pair of goals from The Herons in a matter of minutes and completely silencing the pink crowd in both halves.
The first goal of the game came after just 16 minutes, with Paraguayan MatÃas Rojas capitalizing on a rebound following a shot from Lionel Messi.
This would turn out the first of three crazy goals in the space of six minutes, with Atlanta United’s Jamal Thiaré scoring twice to seal the momentary comeback at Chase Stadium.
Check mate.
But that wasn’t all…
Not even two minutes later, Diego Gómez would put the game back level — with fans in Fort Lauderdale witnessing one of the best first halves of the MLS season.
However, the goal would end up being recalled and disallowed due to offside.
This would send the game into halftime with the 2024 MLS Supporters Shield winners momentarily eliminated, leaving Messi and co. no choice but to turn the game around if they wanted to stay alive in the MLS playoffs.
Lionel Messi goal vs. Atlanta United
In the 65th minute, a leaping header from Messi next to the penalty spot sent Inter Miami fans into flames, with the Argentine scoring his first-ever MLS playoffs goal for The Herons.
Atlanta United, however? Unphased.
Just 10 minutes later, Bartosz Slisz repeated the Messi formula and slammed the ball into back of Drake Callender’s net to seal Atlanta’s fantastic comeback and Miami’s elimination.
This elimination marks one of the few Inter Miami failures with Lionel Messi in the squad, with this being the second KO elimination following their failed run in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.