Toronto FC 2-4 Inter Miami Highlights, MLS 2026: Lionel Messi Scores, Assists As Herons Get Back To Winning Ways

Hello and welcome to the Toronto FC vs Inter Miami Major League Soccer 2026 at the BMO Field, Toronto, Canada on May 09, Saturday. Stay tuned for live commentary, scores, playing XI and other updates.

Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET / 10:30 PM IST

Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario

Referee: Víctor Manuel Rivas

Weather: Mostly cloudy, approximately 12°C

Inter Miami’s last outing was a historic and painful collapse against rivals Orlando City SC on May 2, 2026. Playing at their home ground, Nu Stadium, Miami appeared to be in complete control within the first half hour. Ian Fray opened the scoring just four minutes in, followed by a Telasco Segovia tap-in in the 25th minute. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when Lionel Messi, making his 100th appearance for the club, curled a signature long-range strike into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 by the 33rd minute.

At that point, the match seemed settled, with Miami dominating possession and threatening to add even more. However, the momentum shifted just before halftime when Orlando’s Martín Ojeda pulled one back in the 39th minute with a powerful left-footed effort. This goal gave the visitors a lifeline that they exploited fully in the second half. As Miami’s defensive intensity dropped, Ojeda struck again in the 68th minute to cut the lead to one. The tension peaked in the 79th minute when a foul by Maximiliano Falcón in the box allowed Ojeda to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot, stunning the home crowd and leveling the score at 3-3.

The final heartbreak for Miami came deep into stoppage time. While pushing forward to find a winner, Miami left themselves exposed to a lethal counter-attack in the 93rd minute. Tyrese Spicer was played through on goal and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to secure a 4-3 victory for Orlando City. It was only the fourth time in MLS history that a team won after trailing by three goals, and it left Miami searching for answers regarding their defensive stability ahead of today's clash with Toronto.

Toronto FC's most recent match was a frustrating 3-1 loss to Atlético Ottawa in the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Despite playing at BMO Field, the "Reds" were unable to hold onto an early lead, resulting in an early exit from the domestic cup competition and extending their winless run to six games.

Toronto started the match with promise, taking the lead in the 16th minute. Jackson Gilman found Derrick Etienne Jr. with a clever pass down the right flank, and Etienne’s low cross was perfectly met by Deandre Kerr, who fired home a first-time finish. The goal was a personal milestone for Kerr, marking his 21st career goal for the club and moving him into a tie for seventh on Toronto FC's all-time scoring list. Head coach Robin Fraser had rotated the squad heavily, handing debuts to several TFC II players like Gilman, Reid Fisher, and Jahmarie Nolan due to the team's ongoing injury crisis.

The match turned in the second half as Atlético Ottawa, the reigning Canadian Premier League champions, began to exploit gaps in Toronto's patchwork defense. The comeback was spearheaded by Ballou Tabla, who leveled the score in the 71st minute. Tabla struck again just ten minutes later to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Ottawa was awarded a penalty, which Tabla converted to complete his hat-trick and seal the 3-1 upset. The defeat was particularly stinging as it came just days after Toronto had shown resilience in a 1-1 draw against the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes.

In the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami currently sits in 3rd place. They have earned 19 points from 11 matches played, with a record of 5 wins, 2 losses, and 4 ties. They are trailing the conference leaders, Nashville SC (23 points), and are tied on points with the 2nd-placed New England Revolution, though New England holds the tiebreaker with more wins.

In the overall MLS League standings (the race for the Supporters' Shield), Inter Miami is currently in 5th place. The overall table is currently dominated by Western Conference teams:

1st: San Jose Earthquakes (28 points)

2nd: Vancouver Whitecaps (25 points)

3rd: Nashville SC (23 points)

4th: Los Angeles FC (21 points)

5th: Inter Miami CF (19 points)

Despite their recent 4-3 loss to Orlando City, Miami remains the highest-scoring team in the Eastern Conference with 22 goals, largely driven by the form of Lionel Messi and Telasco Segovia.

The match is underway. Inter Miami, distinctive in their signature all-pink kits, immediately sought to control the tempo from the opening whistle. The Argentine connection of Rodrigo De Paul and Facundo Mura attempted to orchestrate an early breakthrough by linking up on the right wing. However, the Toronto FC defense remained disciplined and alert, closing down the space and neutralizing the threat before the visitors could develop any dangerous momentum.

Lionel Messi attempted a signature surging run through the center of the pitch, but he was unable to find his usual explosive burst of speed. This slight hesitation allowed Walker Zimmerman to track back and provide a crucial covering challenge to clear the ball. For a Toronto backline facing a formidable and seasoned Miami attack, that successful intervention serves as a vital confidence builder and a reminder of the near-perfect focus required to maintain a clean sheet tonight.

Messi delivered a precise ball over the retreating Toronto defense, setting Germán Berterame off on a dangerous chase. The Inter Miami forward was fully committed to the aerial ball, but his momentum led to a heavy collision with Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran, who had also charged off his line to intercept. The referee ultimately ruled in favor of the hosts, awarding Toronto a free-kick, while the medical staff quickly entered the pitch to attend to both players following the significant clash of heads.

That was nearly the opener! Toronto continues to threaten from distance, coming agonisingly close once more. Kobe Franklin collected the ball on the right wing and, despite the tightening angle, the Canadian international opted to strike. His powerful, right-footed drive had Dayne St. Clair scrambling as it whistled just wide of the far upright. With the "Reds" failing to capitalise on these promising moments, you have to wonder if these squandered opportunities will come back to haunt them later in the match.

Messi, the legendary playmaker attempted a neat link-up with Luis Suárez, and when the return pass was cushioned perfectly into his stride, a goal felt inevitable. However, the captain’s powerful left-footed volley lacked its usual accuracy, whistling past the right-hand post to the immense relief of the Toronto faithful. It was a massive let-off for the hosts; you simply cannot gift a player of his caliber that kind of space and expect to escape unpunished a second time.

GOAL FOR INTER MIAMI! The visitors break the deadlock to take a 1-0 lead. After Rodrigo De Paul hammered a free-kick—one many assumed was destined for Messi—directly into the wall, he reacted quickest to the rebound. The ball fell perfectly for the Argentine midfielder, who unleashed a stunning, clinical volley that rifled into the bottom-left corner. It was a moment of pure technical brilliance, turning a blocked set-piece into a sensational opening goal.

WHAT A SAVE! Toronto looked to strike back immediately, but Dayne St. Clair rose to the occasion to preserve the lead. The dangerous Dániel Sallói cut inside and unleashed a curling right-footed effort aimed toward the bottom-right corner, appearing destined for the net. However, the Canadian shot-stopper reacted with superb agility, diving low to turn the ball away and keep Miami in front.

The first half concludes at BMO Field with Inter Miami holding a slender 1-0 lead over Toronto FC. Despite the scoreline, the hosts were perhaps the more proactive side throughout the opening 45 minutes, with Mailala Henry, Deandre Kerr, and Kobe Franklin all threatening to find an opener.

The momentum seemed destined to shift when Luis Suárez teed up Lionel Messi with a pinpoint lay-off, but the captain's powerful volley narrowly missed the target. Inter Miami didn't have to wait long for their breakthrough, however, as Rodrigo De Paul capitalized on a blocked free-kick. After his initial effort hit the wall, the midfielder showcased incredible technique to rifling the rebounding volley into the bottom corner. Toronto nearly found an equalizer just before the whistle, but Dayne St. Clair produced a vital, sharp save against Dániel Sallói to ensure the visitors headed into the tunnel with their advantage intact.

It was a golden opportunity that Inter Miami simply had to convert. Following a costly turnover by Zane Monlouis at the halfway line, Lionel Messi seized the moment, spearheading a dangerous two-on-two counter-attack. The captain carried the ball deep into the final third, momentarily hesitating between a strike of his own and a pass, before eventually sliding it wide to Luis Suárez. The veteran striker opened his hips to curl a trademark finish into the bottom-right corner, but the ball refused to bend back enough, drifting wide and granting Toronto a massive reprieve.

INTER MIAMI MAKE IT TWO! The visitors have doubled their advantage to 2-0, striking just as the game appeared to be settling into a lull. A single clinical pass forward completely dismantled the Toronto defense, leaving them exposed. Lionel Messi latched onto the ball and, displaying his trademark vision, played a simple but devastating square pass to Luis Suárez. With only the keeper to beat, the Uruguayan striker maintained his composure to slot a calm finish past Luka Gavran, dealing a heavy blow to the hosts’ hopes of a comeback.

ANOTHER SAVE! While it wasn’t his most powerful effort, Messi once again demonstrated his ability to make the ball dip and swerve from a set-piece. Luka Gavran was forced into action, parrying the strike away to his left. On this occasion, the free-kick lacked the sheer velocity required to bypass the Toronto goalkeeper, who managed to track the flight of the ball and comfortably clear the danger.

THAT HAS TO BE THE CLINCHER! Inter Miami has surged to a commanding 3-0 lead, seemingly putting the game out of reach. Once again, it was Lionel Messi orchestrating the play, threading a ball through to substitute Sergio Reguilón on the right flank. The Spanish full-back kept his cool, guiding a right-footed finish into the far corner. With this third goal, Miami appears determined to bury the ghosts of their recent collapse and secure all three points.

FOUR FOR MIAMI! The visitors have truly dismantled the Toronto defense now as Lionel Messi finally adds his name to the scoresheet to make it 4-0. It was the "Argentine Connection" at its finest: Rodrigo De Paul surged forward and provided a perfect slide-rule pass across the face of goal, allowing Messi to clinicaly redirect the ball past a helpless Gavran. The captain wheeled away in celebration, capping off a dominant second-half display that has seen Toronto completely fold under the pressure.

TORONTO PULL ONE BACK! The hosts cut the deficit to 4-1 following a significant defensive lapse from substitute David Ayala. His costly error at the back has gifted Toronto a glimmer of hope, sparking memories of Miami's recent late-game instability against Orlando. Dániel Sallói was the quickest to react, pouncing on the loose ball and unselfishly squaring it to Emilio Aristizábal, who maintained his composure to slot home. While the mountain remains steep, this is exactly the kind of opening Miami’s previous opponents have exploited to trigger a collapse.

UNBELIEVABLE DRAMA AT BMO FIELD! Toronto has struck again to make it 4-2, and suddenly the atmosphere has shifted completely. Just as Inter Miami appeared to be cruising toward the final whistle, Kobe Franklin delivered a pinpoint, teasing cross into the heart of the box. Emilio Aristizábal rose brilliantly above the defenders to power a commanding header into the back of the net. With the super-sub bagging his second of the night, Miami’s comfortable lead has evaporated into a high-stakes finale, leaving the visitors looking nervous as the hosts find a second wind.

SPOT-KICK DRAMA! Toronto’s appeals for a penalty were met with a wave of defiance from the referee after Derrick Etienne Jr. went down under a challenge from David Ruiz (filling in at right-back) inside the area. A tense silence fell over the stadium as the official held his earpiece, locked in consultation with the VAR.

NO PENALTY! To the absolute disbelief and fury of the BMO Field crowd, the decision stood. The VAR determined there was insufficient contact to trigger an on-field review, allowing play to resume. It was a massive escape for Inter Miami, who came dangerously close to self-destructing once again, while the "Reds" were left feeling robbed of a vital lifeline in this frantic finale.

Inter Miami returned to winning ways with a frantic 4-2 victory over Toronto FC, though the final scoreline masks a nerve-wracking conclusion. The visitors took control early through a sensational first-half volley from Rodrigo De Paul, a lead they ruthlessly expanded after the interval. Luis Suárez doubled the advantage amidst controversy—slotting home while Raoul Petretta (filling in for Edwards) was down injured—before Sergio Reguilón netted his first MLS goal and Lionel Messi added a clinical fourth.

However, the "Herons" nearly authored their own downfall, echoing their recent late-game collapse against Orlando City. A defensive blunder by David Ayala allowed Emilio Aristizábal to pull one back, and the Colombian striker soon headed home a second to ignite a frantic finale. Toronto’s fury peaked in stoppage time when Derrick Etienne Jr. was denied a penalty after a VAR review upheld the initial "no foul" decision. Despite an end-to-end battle that saw a combined xG of 2.69, Miami clung on for the points. Guillermo Hoyos’ side now turns their attention to a Thursday clash with Cincinnati, while the Reds travel to face Charlotte next Sunday.