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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Herons entered play-offs as favourite</li><li>Bid for MLS glory brought to a close</li><li>Atlanta battled past star-studded rivals</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

How Atlanta United countered threat of ‘best player in the world’ Lionel Messi & stunned Inter Miami by dumping them out of MLS Cup play-offs

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Orlando City

Atlanta United

<p>The Herons entered the post-season as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-team-ever-mls-cup-or-bust-lionel-messi-inter-miami-argentine-superstar-signed-david-beckham-deliver-ultimate-glory/bltf1dde65891cd00ac" target="_blank">Supporters’ Shield winners, collecting a record-breaking haul of points</a> along the way. They got off to a winning start against Atlanta, but back-to-back defeats have seen them trip over the first hurdle.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi was on target in the final instalment of a three-game series, but a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/coward-jordi-alba-furious-rant-referee-inter-miami-eliminated-mls-playoffs-atlanta-united/bltc3b5b1f1e8203de0" target="_blank">controversial effort settled an absorbing contest</a> that finished 3-2 to the visitors at Chase Stadium. There will be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-ready-fight-trophy-47-sights-locked-mls-cup-glory-inter-miami-history/bltadccfae0786be7ff" target="_blank">no trophy No.47 for Argentine GOAT Messi</a> this season, who has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-contract-wages-cristiano-ronaldo/blt11e2d05b108b1895" target="_blank">one year left on his contract</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Former USMNT goalkeeper Guzan has said of how <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/flaws-exposed-lionel-messi-and-inter-miami-turn-in-disasterclass-in-mls-playoff-exit-but-in-truth-upset-was-entirely-predictable/blt3218683547692554" target="_blank">Atlanta managed to prevail against Inter Miami’s collection of superstars</a>: "Obviously [Miami] have a very good team with very good individuals who are extremely talented – best player in the world. </p><p>"And so we don't have that. And so how do we make up the difference? We make that up with working for each other, and defending and doing hard running and tackling. When you do things like that, you're able to give yourself an opportunity. And tonight, we were able to take those chances and finish it off."</p>

WHAT GUZAN SAID

<p>Messi will be back for more in 2025, potentially with Luis Suarez alongside him as the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/luis-suarez-extend-last-dance-lionel-messi-mls-new-inter-miami-contract-rubbish-fitness-concerns/bltb7eda8b7449c9611" target="_blank">veteran Uruguayan sees a contract extension speculated on</a>. Atlanta, meanwhile, march on to face more Florida-based opposition in the form of Orlando City.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

How Atlanta United countered threat of ‘best player in the world’ Lionel Messi & stunned Inter Miami by dumping them out of MLS Cup play-offs | Goal.com Uganda

Brad Guzan has explained how Atlanta United countered the threat of &quot;best player in the world&quot; Lionel Messi to stun Inter Miami in the MLS play-offs.