Atlanta United has always believed they could win. Here's why they pulled off the greatest upset in the history of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Inter Miami welcomes Atlanta United FC to Chase Stadium Saturday for the finale of their best-of-3 first-round playoff series. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook'

Inter Miami has played Atlanta five times this year, and won just once, 2-1 in the playoff opener at home. Atlanta beat Miami 3-1 back in May, they tied 2-2 in September, and Atlanta stunned Miami on Saturday to force Game 3 with an extra-time game winner by Xande Silva before a crowd of 68,455 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a shock elimination in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs on Saturday, losing 3-2 to No. 9 seed Atlanta United on home soil in the best-of-three series decider.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in a stunning upset, losing 3-2 at home to ninth-seeded Atlanta United on Saturday at Chase Stadium.

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta United hosts Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. United is 11-10-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. United ranks third in the Eastern Conference drawing 187 corner kicks, averaging 5.5 per game.

Atlanta United ousted Messi and Major League Soccer’s biggest-spending team earlier than anyone imagined from the MLS Cup playoffs. Jamal Thiaré scored twice, Bartosz Slisz's header in the 76th minute was the winner,

Lionel Messi walked off the field and into the tunnel leading to the Inter Miami CF locker room, hardly any emotion on his face.