Lionel Messi added yet another record to his collection as he helped Inter Miami secure a 4-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday. The Argentine star not only scored but also provided two assists, ensuring Miami avoided a repeat of their previous match where they squandered a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 home loss to Orlando City.
Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Sergio Reguilon, and Messi all found the back of the net for Inter Miami (6-2-4, 22 points). With his offensive output, Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions, achieving the feat in just 64 games. The previous record was held by Toronto legend Sebastian Giovinco, who needed 95 games. Messi now has 59 goals and 41 assists since joining Inter Miami late in the 2023 season.
Emilio Aristizabal scored twice for Toronto FC (3-4-5, 14 points).
Miami took the lead in the 44th minute when De Paul’s free kick from 25 yards ricocheted off the wall, and his right-footed shot hit the post before going in. Suarez doubled the lead in the 56th minute, finishing off a pass from Messi with his left foot, capitalizing on space created after Toronto forward Raheem Edwards stayed down on the pitch.
In the 73rd minute, Messi set up Reguilon, who scored his first MLS goal to make it 3-0. Just two minutes later, De Paul connected with Messi in the box, and Messi made it 4-0. Aristizabal pulled one back for Toronto in the 82nd minute, and then added another with a header from Kobe Franklin’s pass in the 90th minute to make it 4-2.
Early in the match, Toronto had chances, including a free kick from Alonso Coello that skipped through Miami’s wall but was saved by Dayne St. Clair. Malik Henry, Markus Cimermancic, and Deandre Kerr all missed the target with shots. Miami’s offense built momentum late in the first half, with a Messi shot narrowly missing the near post in the 38th minute. St. Clair also made a diving punch save of a Daniel Salloi shot to preserve Miami’s 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the 47th minute, Luis Suarez forced a turnover at midfield, setting up a 2-on-1 for Messi, who drew defenders and slipped a pass to Suarez, but Suarez’s shot was off target.
