Match recap: 5-Stripes get penalty redemption, Embolo equalizes in debut to draw with Miami

Debuts are often a major point of pressure for anticipated signings. If there was any, Breel Embolo didn't feel it one bit. 

Atlanta United's new Designated Player scored the tying penalty kick in the 87th minute to earn a point for the 5-Stripes in his first match with the club. He became the third debutant for the club to score a result-changing goal. 

The 2-2 draw with Inter Miami CF was achieved by a thorough second half from the 5-Stripes. Still, the final minutes were wild, as the hosts nearly stole the spoils on multiple occasions.  

What happened

Miguel Almirón was immediately looking for the new forward Breel Embolo, crossing towards him in the 4th minute. Miami's keeper Dayne St. Clair came out to claim it to stop the attack. In the 9th minute, the two combined in the same way, and Embolo was able to win the header. His attempt, though, wasn't driven enough. 

Inter Miami played slow, opting for steady possession, but Atlanta was more opportunistic on the ball. Tristan Muyumba got a look from outside the box in the 21st minute, but his shot was saved. 

The French midfielder got another look from distance after a smooth passing sequence from the 5-Stripes in the 26th minute. He got too far under it, as it sailed over for a goal kick. 

Miami took the lead in the 32nd minute from a corner kick that new signing Casemiro headed home. The Brazilian took contact and rose up to hit the ball, putting it to the far post for 1-0. 

The 5-Stripes responded nearly immediately. Cooper Sanchez played a precise, splitting ball to Alexey Miranchuk, who sent a through ball to Tomás Jacob. His cross caused issues.  Casemiro slid to try and block the ball, it deflected off St. Clair, and Almirón was positioned well to tap it into the net. In the 35th minute, Atlanta had a leveler that kept their heads high.

Sanchez gave away a free kick on a tackle that won the ball, and Lionel Messi hit the corner of the bar in the 37th minute. But as the game accelerated by the minute, Luis Suárez put the hosts back in front. The veteran forward skipped through the defense and tapped a simple shot past Lucas Hoyos in goal in the 46th minute of the first half. 

Atlanta United were behind heading into the break, though the match was quite even. On expected goals, Miami had a narrow, 1.03 to 0.98 lead. The 5-Stripes had the goal to clean up their defending, particularly in one-on-one scenarios. If they were able to do that, they'd trust the attack to continue producing threats. 

Things were slow to start the second, and head coach Tata Martino brought on another debutant in Mauricio Amaro. He and Steven Alzate were midfield replacements in the 56th minute. 

A combination between Almirón and Miranchuk nearly got the 5-Stripes another goal in the 69th minute. Atlanta United's captain flicked a pass to Miranchuk near the 6-yard box, but St. Clair came out to stop it.

Afterward, the Video Assistant Referee recommended check on a tackle on Almirón inside the box. A high kick from Casemiro earned him a yellow card and Atlanta United a penalty kick. Almirón stepped up to take the kick he earned, but St. Clair made a leaping save to his left. 

Embolo found an opening in the 76th minute after a timely Muyumba tackle. The forward found Miranchuk through on goal, but his shot was rushed by a Miami defender and went wide left. 

The 5-Stripes were the late protagonists, and Embolo drew yet another foul. This one was in the box, and Atlanta United had another chance to equalize from the spot. This time, it was the debutant Embolo to take it. He left no doubts, pinging it into the bottom right corner to make it 2-2 in the 87th minute. ​

Atlanta United wanted a winner, but it was Miami who nearly stole it in the 96th minute. Messi had a couple of cracks from the left side of the box. Hoyos made a gutsy feet save, then Júnior Alonso blocked the Argentine's follow up, as the ball careened just wide of the post. 

After two consecutive corners, Miami had a couple of clear-cut looks to get a winner. Hoyos punched a corner onto the post, and Paulo Díaz cleared it off the line. When the ball was recycled, Germán Berterame had a free header that he misplaced. It was full of dramatics until the final whistle, but the 5-Stripes walked away with a scrappy point. 

Standouts

• Breel Embolo did everything the 5-Stripes expected of him in his debut. He was a nuisance to the Miami backline the entire evening, drawing a team-high seven fouls. The forward leveled things in the 87th, converting a penalty kick he earned.

Milestones

• Breel Embolo made his debut for Atlanta United. The Designated Player played a full 90 minutes and showed his ability to combine and be a physical presence up front. He scored his first goal for the club in the 87th minute, a composed finish from the penalty spot for the latest goal the 5-Stripes have scored this season. 
• Embolo joined Dom Dwyer (winner) and Nick Firmino (equalizer) as the third Atlanta United player to score a result-changing goal in his club debut.
• Mauricio Amaro also registered his first cap for the 5-Stripes. He was a substitute in the 56th minute.
• Miguel Almirón had his 10th goal contribution of the season when he finished off a chance in the 35th minute. The Paraguayan has 7 goals and assists in his last 8 matches.

Up next

Atlanta United returns home for a midweek rivalry against Orlando City SC. The 5-Stripes will kick off against the Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.