MLS Update: Lionel Messi’s Goal Falls Short as Inter Miami Draws with Toronto FC

Lionel Messi found the back of the net, yet an off-colour Inter Miami could only manage a 1-1 draw against struggling Toronto FC in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

Toronto, still searching for their first victory this season, deserved their point and even created enough opportunities to secure all three.

The Canadian team, languishing in 14th place out of 15 in the Eastern Conference, posed numerous challenges for Miami’s vulnerable defence, striking the woodwork twice early on.

Theo Corbeanu rattled the post with a left-footed effort in the 17th minute and just two minutes later, following a goalmouth scramble, he hit the post again.

Miami believed they had broken the deadlock in the 39th minute when Messi found space to unleash a signature low shot into the corner from the edge of the penalty area.

However, a VAR check deemed that Messi had fouled French defender Nicksoen Gomis while crafting the shot, leading to the goal being disallowed.

Seven minutes later, a goal was scored at the other end as Toronto’s Italian forward Federico Bernardeschi weaved his way through the box before nudging the ball past Miami keeper Drake Callender.

Yet the lead was short-lived as Messi, assisted by Telasco Segovia, was afforded too much time on the edge of the box and executed a precise low drive that left Toronto keeper Sean Johnson with no chance.

Toronto began the second half with optimism and came close again early on when former Juventus winger Bernardeschi shot wide from a promising position.

Miami struggled to find structure and cohesion in their play but remained a threat on the counter-attack, nearly regaining their lead when Fafa Picault delivered a cross to Luis Suarez at the back post, but the experienced Uruguayan forward lost his footing, sending his close-range attempt off target.

Too frequently, Messi, who played the entire match, attempted to create chances on his own, often finding himself overwhelmed by Toronto’s defenders. He did, however, test Johnson with a low shot in the 77th minute after managing to carve out space for himself.

Late in the match, Bernardeschi posed a threat once again but was thwarted by a timely block from Miami’s Argentine defender Tomas Aviles.

Miami’s next challenge is on Wednesday, as they face Los Angeles FC in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-final, trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

Coach Javier Mascherano expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the upcoming match, despite his frustrations with Sunday’s performance. “In the first half, for 10-15 minutes we disconnected from the game, and they capitalised. After that, we regrouped and in the second half, we tried to make an impact with our substitutions,” he said. “It was a tough match; people may think Toronto’s position in the table reflects their quality, but they have talented players up front and performed exceptionally well. We need to focus on Wednesday,” he added.

In other MLS action on Sunday, former Inter Miami striker Josef Martinez netted a hat-trick as the San Jose Earthquakes overwhelmed DC United with a 6-1 victory. Meanwhile, New York City FC suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against an improved Minnesota United, who climbed to third place in the Western Conference with their win.