MIAMI — Argentine superstar Lionel Messi was on target once again, but his late strike failed to prevent Inter Miami from suffering a 2-1 defeat at home against Toronto FC on Saturday. The loss extends Miami’s dismal run to five consecutive matches without a victory across all competitions.
The visitors took control of the contest in the second half through a rapid-fire double. Josh Sargent broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, before Derrick Etienne Jr. doubled Toronto’s advantage just three minutes later in the 62nd minute, leaving Inter Miami stunned on home turf.
Inter Miami mounted a late fightback when Lionel Messi found the net in the 82nd minute, capitalizing on a brilliant through ball from fellow countryman Rodrigo De Paul. The goal marked Messi’s 14th of the MLS campaign, placing him second on the league’s top-scorer list behind FC Dallas’ Petar Musa (16 goals).
Despite a relentless final assault in stoppage time, Inter Miami failed to secure an equalizer. With four losses and one draw in their last five outings—a streak that includes their early elimination from the Leagues Cup group stage—Miami remain second in the MLS Eastern Conference, seven points adrift of leaders Nashville.
Elsewhere in Major League Soccer, Robert Lewandowski’s Chicago Fire closed in on Miami after a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls, while Antoine Griezmann scored a second-half brace to guide Orlando City to a 2-1 comeback victory over Real Salt Lake.
