Switzerland striker Breel Embolo marked his MLS debut by scoring a late penalty to earn Atlanta United a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami on Saturday.
Embolo, who arrived from French club Stade Rennais for a reported $18 million fee last month, beat Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to give the struggling Atlanta team a valuable point.
The debut goal was likely made all the more sweeter for Embolo by the fact that it came against a Miami team featuring Argentine duo Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul. Embolo’s last game before Saturday came in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, when he was controversially sent off before Argentina went on to defeat Switzerland after extra time.
Messi came agonizingly close to spoiling Embolo’s evening once again but saw two chances at a last-gasp winner denied by desperate blocks from the visitors.
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Embolo had assumed the responsibility to take the late penalty for Atlanta after Miguel Almirón had earlier had one saved by St. Clair.
That first penalty came after a foul by Casemiro, who experienced a mixed 90 minutes for Miami.
The Brazil international had opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a goal in his second straight game when heading home a corner from Messi.
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But the former Manchester United midfielder, playing out of position at center back, also played an unfortunate role in Atlanta’s first equalizer. Casemiro diverted a cross toward his own goal in the 35th minute and, although St. Clair prevented the own goal, Almirón snapped up the rebound.
Luis Suárez had earlier put the home side back in front with his 12th goal of the season but Miami was forced to settle for a draw against an Atlanta side coached by former Miami boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino.
Messi was playing his first game since announcing his retirement from international duty with Argentina but couldn’t add to the four goals he scored in last week’s 7-1 win over CF Montreal. His assist for Casemiro’s goal did, though, take him to 30 goals contributions in MLS this season.
