Messi's Milestone Fuels Inter Miami's 4-2 Victory Over Toronto FC

Key facts

• Inter Miami defeated Toronto FC 4-2 on Saturday.
• Lionel Messi achieved 100 goal contributions in his 64th MLS game.
• Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 44th minute.
• Luis Suárez doubled the lead in the 56th minute, assisted by Messi.
• Sergio Reguilón scored Inter Miami's third goal in the 73rd minute.
• Emilio Aristizábal scored a second-half brace for Toronto FC.
• BMO Field set a new attendance record with 44,828 fans.

Inter Miami Secures Vital Win Amidst Record Crowd

Inter Miami CF, the reigning MLS Cup champions, secured a crucial 4-2 victory against Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field. The match, played before a record-breaking attendance of 44,828 fans, saw Lionel Messi deliver a stellar performance, contributing a goal and two assists. This win was vital for Miami, coming after a significant collapse in their previous outing. The hosts, Toronto FC, fought back in the second half with a brace from substitute Emilio Aristizábal, but Inter Miami ultimately held on. The victory propels Inter Miami further up the Eastern Conference standings, while Toronto FC continues to grapple with a winless streak. The atmosphere at BMO Field was electric, amplified by the expanded capacity for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. Temporary stands, opened for the first time, contributed to the record attendance, underscoring the significant draw of matches featuring superstar Lionel Messi.

Messi Reaches Century of Goal Contributions

Lionel Messi etched his name further into the MLS record books by reaching 100 goal contributions in just his 64th league appearance. The Argentine maestro achieved this milestone with a goal and two assists in the victory over Toronto FC, making him the fastest player in league history to hit this remarkable figure. Messi's influence was evident throughout the match. He provided the assist for Luis Suárez's goal and later scored himself, capping off a performance that earned him the Man of the Match award. His ability to consistently impact games at such a high level continues to define his MLS career. Post-match, Messi expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging the difficulty of the game. "It was a hard game, and it was difficult to play, especially in the first half," he stated in a post-game interview. "But we were able to get an important win because we had to win given the recent results and how things happened, so I am happy."

Inter Miami Establishes Early Dominance

Inter Miami established a commanding lead before halftime, with Rodrigo De Paul opening the scoring in the 44th minute. De Paul's powerful volley, which found the back of the net after rebounding off the TFC wall from a free-kick, set the tone for Miami's offensive display. The visitors doubled their advantage in the 56th minute when Luis Suárez converted a pass from Messi. The goal came amidst controversy as a Toronto FC defender was down injured following a tackle, but the play continued and the goal stood. Miami extended their lead to three in the 73rd minute through Sergio Reguilón, who latched onto a through ball from Messi before slotting it home. Two minutes later, Messi himself got on the scoresheet, finishing from De Paul's pass inside the box, putting Inter Miami firmly in control at 4-0.

Toronto FC Mounts Late Comeback Attempt

Despite falling behind significantly, Toronto FC found a late surge of form, with substitute Emilio Aristizábal scoring twice in the closing stages. Aristizábal first tapped home in the 82nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by David Ayala and benefiting from a square pass by Dániel Sallói. He then added his second goal in the 90th minute, meeting a cross from Kobe Franklin with a powerful header. This marked Aristizábal's first brace for Toronto FC and provided a glimmer of hope for the home side. The Reds pushed for an equalizer in stoppage time, with Derrick Etienne Jr. having a penalty shout denied and Walker Zimmerman coming close with a header. However, Inter Miami's defense managed to hold firm, securing the victory.

Toronto FC's Struggles Continue Amidst Injuries

Toronto FC's difficult run of form persisted, with the club now winless in six matches across all competitions. Their league record stands at three wins, five draws, and three defeats, highlighting a season marked by inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded 20 goals while scoring 18. The team faced significant challenges with a lengthy injury list, sidelining ten players. This depleted squad forced Head Coach Robin Fraser to make five changes from their previous match against Atlético Ottawa, with key players like Djordje Mihailovic, Richie Laryea, and Josh Sargent among those unavailable. Their home record at BMO Field, while difficult to break down, has also seen a high number of draws, with five of their league ties occurring on their home turf. The midweek Canadian Championship defeat further compounded their woes ahead of the Inter Miami fixture.

Concerns Over Player Safety and Field Conditions

Inter Miami's interim coach, Guillermo Hoyos, expressed significant concern over player safety, particularly for Lionel Messi. He emphasized the need to "protect" Messi from various potential threats, including media scrutiny, referees, and even pitch invaders, two of whom briefly approached Messi during the match. "We have to take much better care of him, there’s only one Messi," Hoyos stated. "We have to take care of him because he fills stadiums. Say what you have to say and don’t be timid, there’s no problem with public expression. But I’m telling you straight up, we have to look after the players and protect them because they are the real stars." Furthermore, Hoyos commented on the condition of the BMO Field playing surface, suggesting it requires improvement to meet the standards expected for elite World Cup players. "The playing field needs to be fixed because the risk for players such as the ones we have are increased on a field like that," he remarked.

Looking Ahead for Both Clubs

Following this encounter, Toronto FC is set to travel to Charlotte FC on Saturday, May 16, for a match scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast globally on Apple TV and on TSN5 in Canada. Inter Miami, meanwhile, will aim to build on this momentum. Their recent performances have shown both their attacking prowess and defensive fragility, a pattern that coach Hoyos will be keen to address as the season progresses. The team's away form remains a strong point, with five wins, one draw, and one defeat on the road prior to this match. The league continues to showcase the growing popularity and intensity of Major League Soccer, with record crowds and star-studded performances becoming increasingly common as the competition heats up.

The bottom line

• Inter Miami secured a crucial 4-2 victory against Toronto FC, boosted by a record crowd at BMO Field.
• Lionel Messi reached a significant milestone, achieving 100 MLS goal contributions in his 64th game.
• Inter Miami established a commanding 4-0 lead before Toronto FC's Emilio Aristizábal scored twice late in the match.
• Toronto FC's winless streak extended to six matches across all competitions, exacerbated by numerous player injuries.
• Concerns were raised by Inter Miami's coach regarding player safety and the condition of the playing field.