ATLANTA (AP) — Juan Soto's two-run single in the second inning gave New York the lead, Nolan McLean regrouped after a rough start and the Mets held off Atlanta's ninth-inning comeback attempt to beat the Braves 10-9 in a rain-delayed game on Sunday.
A.J. Ewing hit his fifth homer and Francisco Lindor added a run-scoring single in the Mets' four-run second for a 5-3 lead. Tyrone Taylor homered and Bo Bichette drove in two with a bases-loaded double in the ninth. Bichette had three hits and three RBIs.
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Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II fails to catch a solo home run hit by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) and Brett Baty, behind, are greeted in the dugout after they scored against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets' A.J. Ewing (9) wears a Spider-Man mask while celebrating after his solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto watches his two-run single against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
The Mets led 10-3 after their five-run ninth but still had to withstand a major scare. Huascar Brazobán gave up five runs, including Drake Baldwin's grand slam, in the bottom of the ninth. New York closer Devin Williams gave up another run before striking out Dominic Smith with runners on second and third for his 13th save.
The Mets had lost 12 of 14 games, including the first two in this four-game series against the Braves.
McLean (6-5) gave up five hits and three runs, two earned, in six-plus innings.
After allowing four runs in the second, Braves left-hander Martín Pérez (6-6) was hit on his left forearm by Soto's liner to open the fifth. Pérez recovered to throw out Soto at first base before leaving the game. The Braves did not provide an immediate update on Pérez's status.
Each team made roster moves before the game.
The Braves recalled right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who allowed five runs in the ninth. Right-hander JR Ritchie was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after he threw three scoreless innings to earn his first save in Saturday night's 14-3 runaway win.
The Mets selected right-hander Guillermo Zuñiga to the major league roster. Right-hander Joey Gerber was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
There was a rain delay of 1 hour, 47 minutes before the first pitch.
Braves RHP Reynaldo López (4-1, 3.31 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Freddy Peralta (5-7, 4.81) in Monday night's series finale.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II fails to catch a solo home run hit by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) and Brett Baty, behind, are greeted in the dugout after they scored against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets' A.J. Ewing (9) wears a Spider-Man mask while celebrating after his solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto watches his two-run single against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Vinícius Júnior had the ball at the penalty spot, a perfect chance to give Brazil the lead.
And he handed it to Bruno Guimarães.
And by the time Neymar — in what he said was his final World Cup appearance — took and made Brazil's second penalty kick, it was too late for the five-time champion.
Guimarães had his penalty shot stopped by Ørjan Nyland in the 14th minute and Brazil couldn't get one past Norway's goalkeeper until deep in stoppage time, losing 2-1 on Sunday in the round of 16 for its earliest World Cup exit since 1990.
“We just have to apologize to the Brazilian people, to everyone that attended this venue and witnessed this match, and I think we have to learn from our mistakes,” Brazil captain Marquinhos said. “For those that come in the new generation, I ask that the people will support them from the beginning.”
The Brazilians will be left with four years of second-guessing, wondering why they chose not to have one of soccer’s elite scorers take the penalty shot after Matheus Cunha was taken down by a sliding tackle in the box.
No foul was called originally, to the Brazilians' protest, but the penalty was awarded after a video review. Vinícius, who came into the game leading Brazil with four goals in four games, had the ball in his hands, and it appeared he would take the kick.
Instead, Guimarães walked to the spot and Vinícius handed him the ball, then went and stood to the left of the box and watched as Guimarães stutter-stepped, then fired the shot that Nyland dived to his left to knock away.
Guimarães ended up the choice through a combination of analytics and injuries.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti explained that the Brazilians had compiled statistics on their best penalty takers for a year, and the best choices were Neymar and forward Raphinha. Guimarães was next.
But Neymar, who has battled injuries and didn't even play in Brazil's first two matches, wasn't in the game yet. Raphinha injured his hamstring last month.
“So, we chose Bruno Guimarães because we felt that he was the best on the field at that point,” Ancelotti said.
It was Brazil's first unsuccessful penalty kick in the World Cup — not counting shootouts — since 1986, and a huge boost to the belief of the Norwegians, who had never won a game in the knockout stage until the previous round.
“Obviously, when you’re able to save a penalty that early, you feel that it’s very hard to beat you, which was a great moment in the game for myself but also for the team to give ourselves some breathing space,” Nyland said.
There would be some more quality chances, but Nyland turned them away each time, many of them right in front of the large section of yellow-shirted fans behind the goal Brazil was shooting at in the first half.
Vinícius was dangerous with some speedy runs along the left side and Ancelotti brought on Neymar in the 68th minute for extra firepower. Their longtime great took and made the shot after another penalty was called late, joining Pelé as the only Brazilian players to score in four World Cups.
His team needed more than that and failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since falling to Argentina in the round of 16 in 1990.
The Brazilians returned four years later when the U.S. last hosted the World Cup and won. The Seleção won their fifth title in 2002 but remain empty since.
“I mean, I’ll do the mea culpa here. I’m the captain. I’m one of the older guys,” Marquinhos said. “We have to take on the blame so the next generations can move forward and do their job when it comes to time. This is a cycle that is going to start from now on. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
Norway goalkeeper Oerjan Nyland (1) saves a shot by Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes (8) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Norway goalkeeper Oerjan Nyland, right, defends against a kick by Brazil's Endrick, left, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Brazil's Neymar (10) reacts after Norway's Erling Haaland (9) scored the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Brazil's Neymar reacts after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Norway goalkeeper Oerjan Nyland (1) saves a penalty from Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes (8) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephen K.H. Moyes)
Brazil's Vinicius Junior (7) reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Norway goalkeeper Oerjan Nyland (1) saves a penalty kick by Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes (8) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephen K.H. Moyes)
Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes (8) takes a penalty kick during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes (8) reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes (8) fails to score a penalty kick during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
