Inter Miami’s difficult run continued on Saturday as Toronto FC secured a 2-1 victory at Nu Stadium, despite another goal from Lionel Messi.
Messi scored his 14th goal of the 2026 MLS season late in the match, but his effort could not prevent Inter Miami from suffering their fourth defeat in their last five games. Toronto FC produced a decisive second-half burst, scoring twice within three minutes to take control of the contest.
Toronto FC Beat Inter Miami 2-1
Toronto entered the match looking to build momentum after a series of improved performances, and the visitors delivered another important result.
The Canadian side scored twice in a three-minute period during the second half. United States striker Josh Sargent opened the scoring before Derrick Etienne Jr. added Toronto’s second goal.
Inter Miami responded late when Messi converted an opportunity created by Rodrigo De Paul. The Argentine forward finished a throughball with a first-time strike with eight minutes of regulation time remaining.
Miami pushed for an equalizer, but Toronto’s defense held firm to complete a valuable 2-1 away victory.
Lionel Messi Scores Again for Inter Miami
Messi continued his strong individual scoring form despite Miami’s recent struggles.
The goal was his 14th of the MLS season and came after Rodrigo De Paul played him through. Messi’s finish gave Inter Miami hope of rescuing a result, but Toronto managed to protect its advantage.
The performance highlighted the contrast between Messi’s personal production and Inter Miami’s recent team results.
Josh Sargent and Derrick Etienne Jr. Lead Toronto
Sargent played a major role in Toronto’s victory, scoring one of the team’s two second-half goals. It was his fourth goal for Toronto since joining the club during the offseason for an initial reported fee of $22 million.
Following the match, Sargent praised Toronto’s determination and said the team still has considerable work ahead despite its recent improvement.
Toronto has now gone four games without a defeat, giving the club renewed hope of pushing into the MLS playoff picture.
Inter Miami’s Recent MLS Struggles
The defeat represents another setback for Inter Miami after a difficult stretch of results.
Miami also suffered a 4-1 loss to Nashville SC one week earlier. A 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union in midweek briefly stopped the losing streak, with Messi scoring in that game, but the latest defeat means Miami has gone almost a month without an MLS victory.
The club also exited the Leagues Cup at the first hurdle after suffering two defeats.
Inter Miami remain second in the Eastern Conference, but their position is becoming less secure. Nashville has opened a 10-point lead over Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings.
With the MLS playoffs approaching, Miami must rediscover its form to protect a top-four position and secure home-field advantage in the opening round.
Guillermo Hoyos Under Pressure
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos acknowledged that the team’s recent results have created a difficult situation.
Hoyos, who took over in April after previously serving as the club’s sporting director, accepted responsibility for the team’s current struggles and said the coaching staff must find a way to reverse the downturn quickly.
He also said he had not received any indication from the club’s ownership regarding his position.
Toronto FC Revive Playoff Hopes
While Inter Miami are dealing with a poor run, Toronto’s momentum is moving in the opposite direction.
The victory over Miami extended Toronto’s unbeaten run to four matches. Recent positive results against Charlotte and New England had already provided encouragement, and defeating one of MLS’s most prominent teams could prove to be a major confidence boost.
Toronto still has work to do to secure a playoff place, but its recent form has brought the club back into contention.
Toronto vs Inter Miami: Key Takeaways
The 2-1 result delivered contrasting messages for both teams. Toronto FC showed resilience and attacking efficiency, while Inter Miami once again struggled to turn Messi’s individual brilliance into a positive team result.
For Messi, the goal was another milestone in an impressive 2026 campaign. For Miami, however, the priority is now stopping the slide before it affects their playoff position.
Toronto will hope its four-game unbeaten run can continue, while Inter Miami must quickly rediscover the consistency that made them one of the Eastern Conference’s leading teams.
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