Disappointing Start for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami as they Bow Out of MLS Cup Playoffs in First Round

Lionel Messi's hopes of clinching the MLS Cup title were dashed on Saturday as his team, Inter Miami, suffered a surprise first-round exit from the playoffs with a 3-2 home loss to Atlanta United. Despite dominating the regular season and securing a record number of points, Miami could not overcome Atlanta in the best-of-three series. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and his team were considered the favorites for the MLS Cup, but their dreams were shattered by the underdog Atlanta side, who finished ninth in the Eastern Conference. Miami's regular season success with the 'Supporters' Shield' now seems insignificant following their unexpected elimination from the playoffs.

Inter took the lead in the 17th minute when Messi was denied by a diving save from Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan but Matias Rojas followed in to slot home the loose ball.

Just two minutes later though the visitors levelled when a deflected pass from Dax McCarty fell to Jamal Thiare who confidently fired home with a sweet strike.

Miami were stunned when moments later Thiare struck again -- the 37-year-old McCarty lifted the ball forward to Russian Aleksei Miranchuk who slipped the ball inside to the Senegalese striker who blasted home to make it 2-1.

Diego Gomez thought he had brought Miami level in the 23rd minute but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The 40-year-old former USA and Aston Villa keeper Guzan was in inspired form as he frustrated Miami's search for an equalizer.

It was Messi who finally broke through in the 65th minute, meeting a Marcelo Weigandt cross from the right with a thundering header.

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Miami pushed forward in search of the winner but instead they were caught out once again with Pedro Amador's cross from the left headed home at the back post by Polish midfielder Bartosz Slisz.

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Atlanta will now face Orlando in the Eastern Conference semi-finals with New York Red Bulls and New York City clashing in the other conference semi.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)