Lionel Messi’s first MLS playoffs started with momentum and huge expectations. They finished Saturday with a stunning upset and a GOAT whimper.

Messi and Inter Miami, the top seeds who made history, crashed out in the first round with a second consecutive defeat to Atlanta United – which narrowly sneaked into the play-offs with a losing record and negative goal difference.

Messi, who had been quiet in defeat in Game 2, scored his first play-off goal to level this decisive Game 3 at 2-2. But Atlanta responded; Bartosz Slisz regained the lead with a header in the 76th minute; and the visitors sent shockwaves through American soccer with a 3-2 defeat.

Miami entered these playoffs as the clear favorite in MLS history. They waltzed to a win in Game 1 of a three-game series and seemed certain to advance. All they had to do was win one of two games against an Atlanta team that had prevailed in less than a third of its regular-season games — just 10 of 34.

But then, in Game 2, the Herons went quiet in Atlanta.

Their 2-1 defeat made for a “do-or-die” Game 3, Messi’s first in MLS.

Or, at least, that’s how English speakers describe it. In Spanish there is a similar but different expression. “Es un partido de matar o morir,” Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo said this this week. Not ‘do or die’, but rather ‘kill or die’.

And in a dazzling Saturday twist, it was Atlanta that did the killing.

The No. 9 seed, who won a play-in game on penalties, weathered an early Miami storm at Chase Stadium. Then, immediately after an early goal from Matias Rojas, Atlanta’s Jamal Thiare punished some lax defense. He scored twice in three minutes and the underdog took a 2-1 lead at half-time.

In the second half, Messi rose to temporarily meet the moment.

But Atlanta answered.

And at the other end of the field, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, at the age of 40, made some heroic saves. He shot away Jordi Alba’s header from close range. He frustrated Luis Suarez and Messi. He made six stops in total.

Messi hit two free kicks against the walls of Atlanta and collapsed in frustration.

And Miami’s title hopes died.

Their loss is also a huge loss for MLS, whose playoffs have now lost considerable luster.

It doesn’t take away from the best regular season in league history. “We celebrated this achievement because it was something difficult and important,” Messi said in a recent interview. “But,” he acknowledged, “we are aware that the real title we want is the MLS (Cup).”

Now he may only have one year left to chase it down.