MIAMI — Inter Miami CF settled for a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United on Saturday night in a match delayed more than an hour because of inclement weather.

The match was a tale of two halves. Miami looked composed and dangerous before halftime but struggled to maintain that level after the break, allowing Atlanta to control the second half and eventually fight back for a point.

The match also marked Miami’s first without Noah Allen, the club’s all-time leader in appearances, after he was traded to the Chicago Fire earlier this week.

From the opening whistle, the match was physical and intense, with both teams looking to establish themselves early. Neither side was able to capitalize on its chances during the opening 10 minutes, but both created promising opportunities.

Miami tried to establish its usual possession-heavy style, but Atlanta’s aggressive press made it difficult for the Herons to settle into their rhythm. Instead, Atlanta controlled much of the early possession and repeatedly pushed Miami deep into its own half.

After more than 15 minutes of back-and-forth play, Miami finally broke through.

Messi delivered a dangerous corner into the box, finding Casemiro, who rose above the defense and headed the ball into the net. It was Casemiro’s second consecutive match opening the scoring for Miami.

The Herons had their 1-0 lead, but Atlanta quickly responded.

After St. Clair made a save, the ball fell loose in the box following a deflection. Miguel Almirón reacted first, blasting the rebound into the net to bring Atlanta level at 1-1.

The goal appeared to wake Miami up.

The Herons soon won a free kick in the attacking half, and Messi stood over the ball. The stadium fell silent as the Argentine superstar stepped up.

Messi curled the free kick toward the top-right corner, but his attempt struck the post and bounced away.

Miami would not have to wait much longer for its second goal.

With five minutes of stoppage time announced, Telasco Segovia picked out Luis Suárez with a perfectly weighted pass. Suárez made no mistake, calmly finishing past the Atlanta goalkeeper to restore Miami’s lead at 2-1 just before halftime.

The referee’s whistle sent Miami into the break with the advantage.

Miami came out of halftime looking to build on its momentum and extend the lead. For the first 10 minutes, the Herons managed to keep Atlanta from creating any major opportunities while continuing to defend their advantage.

But Atlanta gradually began to take control.

The pressure nearly paid off when Atlanta found space in front of goal, only for a Miami defender Fricio Caicedo to clear the ball off the line and out for a corner.

The reprieve would not last long.

The referee was sent to the video review area to examine a potential penalty for Atlanta. After reviewing the play, the referee awarded Atlanta a penalty after determining that Casemiro had kicked Almirón inside the box.

Almirón stepped up with a chance to equalize.

He sent the penalty toward the left side of the goal, but St. Clair read it perfectly and made the save, keeping Miami in front.

The save temporarily preserved Miami’s lead, but Atlanta continued to pile on the pressure.

Miami appeared increasingly content to sit deep and absorb the attack rather than push forward in search of a third goal. Atlanta kept coming, and eventually, the pressure became too much.

Atlanta earned another penalty after Breel Embolo was brought down by Caicedo inside the box.

This time, Atlanta made no mistake.

Embolo converted from the spot, leveling the match at 2-2.

Miami’s conservative approach throughout the second half had finally caught up with the Herons.

With 90 minutes complete, Miami had eight minutes of stoppage time to find a winner.

The opportunity nearly came through Messi.

Messi fired a shot toward goal, but the Atlanta goalkeeper made an outstanding save to push it wide. Messi then delivered the resulting corner, only for the goalkeeper to punch the ball away and force another corner.

The next corner produced another scare for Atlanta. The ball struck the crossbar before bouncing back toward midfield.

Miami had one final opportunity to steal all three points when a cross found Germán Berterame in the box, but his header sailed wide.

After taking its foot off the gas in the second half, Miami was left searching for a winner too late.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw — a result that will likely leave Miami frustrated after holding a halftime lead but failing to withstand Atlanta’s second-half pressure.

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