“Last-Minute Heroics! Alexey Miranchuk Rescues Atlanta United in Thrilling Draw Against Inter Miami!”
Alexey Miranchuk delivered a stunning left-footed strike into the upper left corner, securing a 2-2 draw for Atlanta United against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Saba Lobjanidze put Atlanta on the scoreboard early in the second half with their first shot on goal, leveling the match. However, Atlanta quickly conceded…
Alexey Miranchuk delivered a stunning left-footed strike into the upper left corner, securing a 2-2 draw for Atlanta United against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Saba Lobjanidze put Atlanta on the scoreboard early in the second half with their first shot on goal, leveling the match. However, Atlanta quickly conceded another goal, setting the stage for Miranchuk to score his first for the team in the 84th minute. This match marked his fourth appearance since joining from Atalanta in Italy.
The match drew an impressive crowd of 67,795, with Messi making his much-anticipated appearance in the 61st minute—his first game in Atlanta for Miami, after missing last season’s match. Despite the draw, Atlanta United (8-13-8) dropped from 10th to 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, remaining just one point shy of the ninth and final playoff spot. They will face the Red Bulls on Saturday.
Interim manager Rob Valentino’s starting lineup included striker Daniel Rios and midfielders Miranchuk, Lobjanidze, Dax McCarty, Tristan Muyumba, and Bartosz Slisz. The defensive unit featured fullbacks Brooks Lennon and Pedro Amador, centerbacks Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, with Brad Guzan in goal.
Atlanta United faced challenges entering the match with a dismal record of 1-10-4 when the opponent scored first this season. The team finished the first half without a single shot on goal, reflecting their offensive struggles. A notable moment came in the 40th minute during a counterattack, where Slisz’s pass intended for Lobjanidze was intercepted by Rios, preventing a clear shot on goal.
Messi subbed in for Gressel in the 61st minute, marking his second appearance in Atlanta; his first was earlier this year during the Copa America. After Miranchuk’s equalizer, Lobjanidze hit the crossbar, missed a header over the bar, and narrowly missed a right-footed shot in stoppage time. Miranchuk also came close with a shot that went just wide.
