TORONTO — Defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami, led by international superstar Lionel Messi, defeated an injury-plagued Toronto FC side 4-2 at a packed BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.
Messi, an eight-time FIFA world player of the year, started for Miami and electrified the crowd by scoring a goal and creating a number of dangerous chances.
The Argentine star scored The Heron’s fourth of the match and assisted on two others. The loss extended TFC’s winless streak in MLS matches at home to six games.
TFC forward Emilio Aristizabal, who came into the match as a substitute in the 65th minute, gave the TFC fans something to cheer about in the final minutes of the game when he netted two goals — one via a right-footed shot and the second on a header.
The Reds fought hard to the end of the game and put some considerable pressure on the Miami defence.
The only downside for Messi during the match came when fans ran onto the field to get at the Inter Miami star. Security managed to get the situation under control quickly.
For the first time, the temporary stands at BMO Field — constructed for this summer’s World Cup were put in use and a record 44,828 fans jammed into the lakeside stadium. The TFC faithful — following a promising first half — went home disappointed with the result.
The Reds controlled the match early, but Miami led 1-0 by the 44th minute when central midfielder Rodrigo De Paul picked up a rebound off his own free kick — which bounced off the TFC wall — and right-footed a high shot from the right half-space outside of the box into the goal.
The Reds almost tied it just before the halftime whistle, but Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair, who is fighting for a spot on Canada’s World Cup team, made a tremendous diving save off Toronto’s Daniel Salloi from a dangerous spot.
Seconds into the second half, the Herons almost led 2-0 when Messi navigated the ball deep into the TFC end and fed Luis Suarez with a beautiful pass to the left of the goal. Suarez just missed to the right.
In the 56th minute, however, Messi spun some of his patented magic when he fed Suarez a sweet pass into the box and Suarez scored via a left-footed a shot into the corner of the goal as TFC defender Raheem Edwards lay flat on the field in apparent agony — soliciting jeers from the Toronto faithful who thought referee Victor Rivas should have blown his whistle.
After the second goal, the Reds fought to get back into the game. The home side almost connected when Zane Monlouis’s header was saved by St. Clair.
However, the flood gates opened after that, starting with Sergio Reguilon scoring in the 73rd minute, with an assist going to Messi.
Messi then scored his ninth goal of the MLS season in the 75th minute when he left-footed a shot from the centre of the box, with an assist going to De Paul.
Late in the game, a great save by TFC goalkeeper Luka Gavran prevented Messi from scoring his second of the match. The home fans booed loudly when Toronto forward Derrick Etienne appeared to be fouled in the box in added time but no foul was called.
Miami improved to 6-2-4 and TFC dropped to 3-4-5.
TFC was still missing a slew of starters due to injury, including midfielder Djordje Milhailovic (pelvis), forward Josh Sargent, midfielder Richie Laryea (thigh) and defender Matheus Pereira (groin). Nicksoen Gomis was dressed after missing games with an Achilles injury.
Saturday’s match was the last home game for TFC after a run of 10 straight at BMO Field. The next home match will be against the New England Revolution on Aug. 15 after the World Cup break.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2026.
Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press
