Atlanta United Earns 2-2 Draw at Inter Miami as Embolo Scores on Debut

Atlanta United showed plenty of fight Saturday night, earning a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami CF at NU Stadium behind goals from Miguel Almirón and newcomer Breel Embolo.

Embolo made an immediate impact in his Atlanta United debut, converting a late penalty to secure a road point, while midfielder Mauricio Amaro also made his club debut off the bench in the second half.

After an even opening 20 minutes, Atlanta registered the first real threat in the 22nd minute when Tristan Muyumba received a pass from Almirón and fired a right-footed shot on target, but Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made the save.

Miami struck first in the 32nd minute.

Lionel Messi delivered a corner into the center of the box, where Casemiro rose above the defense and headed the ball into the far corner to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

Atlanta responded almost immediately.

Three minutes later, Alexey Miranchuk found Tomás Jacob down the right side. Jacob sent a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, forcing Casemiro into an awkward clearance.

Almirón was there to capitalize.

The Paraguayan pounced on the loose ball and calmly finished into the net in the 35th minute, leveling the match at 1-1 and recording his fourth goal of the season.

Messi nearly restored Miami’s advantage in the 40th minute when he curled a free kick from approximately 25 yards off the right corner of the crossbar.

Inter Miami eventually found its second goal just before halftime.

In first-half stoppage time, Luis Suárez received a pass from Telasco Segovia, worked his way around a defender and finished past Lucas Hoyos to send Miami into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Atlanta came out searching for an equalizer in the second half and was handed a huge opportunity in the 71st minute.

After a VAR review, officials ruled that Casemiro committed a foul inside the penalty area.

Almirón stepped up to take the penalty, but St. Clair guessed correctly and made the save to keep Miami in front.

The missed opportunity did not stop Atlanta from pushing.

Miranchuk and Amaro both had chances go wide as the Five Stripes continued searching for the tying goal.

Then came the breakthrough.

In the 85th minute, Fafà Picault entered the match and immediately helped create the opportunity Atlanta needed.

Picault played a precise pass into the box to Embolo, who took a touch before being dragged down.

The referee pointed to the spot.

This time, Embolo stepped up.

The newly signed Designated Player fired his penalty into the right corner of the net, scoring in his Atlanta United debut and tying the match at 2-2.

It was exactly the kind of moment Atlanta hoped for when the club brought in the experienced Swiss striker.

The final minutes were anything but comfortable.

Miami pushed for a late winner, and Atlanta’s defense was forced into survival mode during stoppage time.

Hoyos came up with a crucial save on a low Messi shot through traffic before Júnior Alonso stepped in to block the rebound just wide of the far post.

On the ensuing corner, Paulo Díaz cleared a bouncing ball off the goal line, helping preserve the draw and secure the point for Atlanta.

For the Five Stripes, the result was about resilience.

Atlanta fell behind twice.

Almirón missed a penalty.

Miami applied heavy pressure late.

But Atlanta never folded.

Embolo’s debut goal gave the club a glimpse of what its newest attacking weapon could bring moving forward, while Amaro’s first appearance offered another look at the young talent Atlanta has added to its midfield.

For Atlanta, Saturday night was not a win. But on the road, against Inter Miami, after twice falling behind, that point was earned.

Atlanta United moves to 6-13-4 with 22 points and returns home on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to host Orlando City SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.