Toronto FC’s three-minute surge delivers a 2-1 win over Inter Miami

Toronto FC turn the match around

Toronto FC defeated Inter Miami 2-1 at Nu Stadium in Miami on Saturday, August 22, completing a decisive second-half turnaround in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season round 21. The visitors scored twice in three minutes before Inter Miami responded through L. Messi, but Toronto held on to claim the points.

The first half ended goalless, with neither side able to convert its opportunities into a breakthrough. Toronto’s R. Laryea was booked in the 37th minute, while Inter Miami made an early change when F. Mura replaced G. Lujan in the 26th minute. The home side also introduced N. Allen for S. Reguilon shortly after the interval, in the 58th minute.

Toronto strike twice after the interval

The match changed in the 59th minute when J. Sargent put Toronto FC ahead with a normal goal assisted by D. Salloi. Toronto quickly increased its advantage: D. Etienne scored three minutes later to make it 2-0. The two goals gave the visitors control of the contest and put Inter Miami under pressure to find a response.

Toronto later replaced D. Salloi with Matheus Pereira in the 65th minute, while Inter Miami made three more changes. L. Delinois came on for L. Suarez and D. Ayala replaced Casemiro in the 73rd minute, followed by D. Pinter coming on for T. Segovia a minute later. M. Falcon had received a yellow card for Inter Miami in the 53rd minute.

Messi response is not enough

Inter Miami pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute through L. Messi, who finished a move assisted by R. de Paul. The goal gave the hosts a route back into the match, but Toronto protected its narrow lead through the closing stages. D. Ayala was booked in the 90th minute as Inter Miami continued its effort to equalise.

The result was a notable outcome based on the teams’ standings entering the round. Inter Miami had been second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points from 20 matches, while Toronto FC were 11th with 21 points. The defeat leaves Miami on 39 points after 21 games, while Toronto move to 24 points. Miami’s recent sequence, which began with a loss in the listed most recent form, now includes another defeat; Toronto’s victory ends a listed sequence that also began with a loss.

Sargent and Etienne provided the decisive contributions for Toronto, while Messi’s late goal stood out for Inter Miami. Referee I. Elfath oversaw the match, which finished with Toronto FC winning 2-1.