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Miranchuk scores in 84th minute to lift Atlanta United to 2-2 tie with Messi's Inter Miami

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Miranchuk scores in 84th minute to lift Atlanta United to 2-2 tie with Messi's Inter Miami
Sport

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Miranchuk scores in 84th minute to lift Atlanta United to 2-2 tie with Messi's Inter Miami

2024-09-19 12:26 Last Updated At:12:31

ATLANTA (AP) — Another big Atlanta crowd finally got a chance to see Lionel Messi in an MLS match.

They nearly watched United pull out a much-needed win over league-leading Inter Miami.

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ATLANTA (AP) — Another big Atlanta crowd finally got a chance to see Lionel Messi in an MLS match.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi talks to a teammate during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi talks to a teammate during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami defender Serhiy Kryvtsov (27) and Atlanta United forward Daniel Ríos (19) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami defender Serhiy Kryvtsov (27) and Atlanta United forward Daniel Ríos (19) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) chase the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) chase the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after during a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after during a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), right, and Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) battle for control of the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), right, and Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) battle for control of the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Alexey Miranchuk scored with a booming shot in the 84th minute and the home team pressed hard for the winning goal in stoppage time, only to settle for a 2-2 tie with Messi's Miami club before an announced crowd of 67,795 on Wednesday night.

After making a triumphant return to the Miami lineup with two goals and an assist last weekend, Messi started this game on the bench. Coach Gerardo Martino wanted to manage the minutes of his 37-year-old Argentine star, who is coming back from national team duties and an ankle injury with the club in the midst of a busy stretch.

Messi trotted on the field in the 61st to a big roar, shortly after Leo Campana scored off a deflected free kick to put the Herons in front. But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner couldn't find the net in his limited time on the field, drawing plenty of attention from the United defenders.

“You've gotta keep an eye on him,” Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan said with a wry smile.

In June, Messi made an Atlanta appearance for Argentina in the opening game of the Copa America. But he didn’t play a year ago when Miami visited Atlanta, disappointing a crowd of 71,635.

He made the trip this time around, thrilling the crowd simply by warming up with three teammates shortly into the second half. Fans in the lower deck whipped out their phones and began snapping pictures.

Miami moved to 19-4-6 for 63 points with five matches remaining in the regular season. The Herons are eight points ahead of Cincinnati and LA Galaxy in the race for the Supporters' Shield and home-field advantage throughout the MLS playoffs.

Messi showed flashes. most notably with a point-blank shot that was swatted away by Guzan. Luis Suárez, who also came off the bench, collected the rebound with an open goal in front of him, only to be blocked at the line by Atlanta defender Pedro Amador.

In stoppage time, Messi dribbled around three players in the penalty area but failed to get off a shot. Finally, he threw up his arms in frustration when a pass was intercepted by Atlanta.

“Whoever plays, we try to support each other,” Miami defender Franco Negri said through a translator. “We know what Leo means, the importance he has.”

Martino was suspended for the match due to an accumulation of staff cautions, leaving assistant coach Javier Morales to run the team.

“I think we had a good performance,” Morales said. “But of course, Atlanta is at home. They're going to push. They had a big crowd, and this was the kind of game we were expecting.”

With the home team trailing 2-1, Miranchuk unleashed a left-footed shot from 20 meters out that found the top left corner of the goal.

United had been waiting for a moment like this from the Russian player who joined the club during the summer transfer window for reported $13 million fee, one of the highest ever for an incoming player to MLS. It was his first goal in four league matches.

“There’s not many goalkeepers in the world that are gonna save that one,” Guzan said. “That’s a glimpse of his quality and what he can do with the ball at his feet. We're trying to encourage him to do that more often.”

Both teams pressed forward in the closing minutes, with Atlanta creating the bulk of the chances, but neither could break through.

It was a discouraging result for Atlanta, which is 11th in the Eastern Conference and one point of out a playoff berth.

“We need three points,” Guzan said. “You have as many chances as we had, we should be coming away with three points.”

Miami grabbed the lead on David Ruiz’s goal in the 29th off another deflection. Negri’s pass hit someone just outside the area, somehow got through three other players and wound up going right to Ruiz, who was all alone between two Atlanta defenders and slid the shot past Guzan.

United tied it in the 56th when Saba Lobjanidze’s header slipped between the legs of Miami keeper Drake Callender.

Campana put the Herons ahead with a free kick that was intended for the right corner of the Atlanta goal. But the ball deflected off Dax McCarty and ricocheted into the net on the left side. Guzan, diving the other way, never had a chance.

Two minutes later, Messi came on for Julian Gressel.

UP NEXT

Inter Miami: Faces New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

Atlanta United: Travels to New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi talks to a teammate during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi talks to a teammate during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami defender Serhiy Kryvtsov (27) and Atlanta United forward Daniel Ríos (19) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami defender Serhiy Kryvtsov (27) and Atlanta United forward Daniel Ríos (19) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) chase the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) chase the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after during a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after during a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), right, and Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) battle for control of the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), right, and Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) battle for control of the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — One of the Amazon River’s main tributaries has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, Brazil’s geological service said Friday, reflecting a severe drought that has devastated the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the country.

The level of the Negro River at the port of Manaus was at 12.66 meters on Friday, as compared with a normal level of about 21 meters. It is the lowest since measurements started 122 years ago. The previous record low level was recorded last year, but toward the end of October.

The Negro River's water level might drop even further in coming weeks based on forecasts for low rainfall in upstream regions, according to the geological service's predictions. Andre Martinelli, the agency's hydrology manager in Manaus, was quoted as saying the river was expected to continue receding until the end of the month.

Water levels in Brazil’s Amazon always rise and fall with its rainy and dry seasons, but the dry portion of this year has been much worse than usual. All of the major rivers in the Amazon basin are at critical levels, including the Madeira River, the Amazon River’s longest tributary.

The Negro River drains about 10% of the Amazon basin and is the world’s sixth-largest by water volume. Manaus, the biggest city in the rainforest, is where the Negro joins the Amazon River.

Porters carry goods that arrived by boat up stairs on the bank of the Negro River at the port of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Porters carry goods that arrived by boat up stairs on the bank of the Negro River at the port of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

The earth is exposed along the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

The earth is exposed along the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Porters carry goods brought by boat across a dry area of the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Porters carry goods brought by boat across a dry area of the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Dock worker Francisco Ferreira Pinheiro reads a meter stick in the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Dock worker Francisco Ferreira Pinheiro reads a meter stick in the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A boat is grounded in the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A boat is grounded in the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A porter carries bananas brought by boat across a dry area of the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A porter carries bananas brought by boat across a dry area of the Negro River at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid a severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A part of the Negro River is dry at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A part of the Negro River is dry at the port in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, amid severe drought. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

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