Lionel Messi scored for the second consecutive match, but could not prevent Inter Miami from slipping to a fourth defeat in their past five games as Toronto FC won 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Sunday.
Toronto FC turned the match in their favour with two goals in a three-minute spell during the second half. Josh Sargent opened the scoring before Derrick Etienne Jr added a second, leaving Inter Miami facing a difficult final period.
Inter Miami responded when Messi pulled a goal back with eight minutes of normal time remaining. The Argentina forward met a through ball from compatriot Rodrigo De Paul and finished first time to give his side hope of rescuing a result.
Despite sustained pressure from the visitors in the closing stages, Inter Miami were unable to find an equaliser and Toronto held on for all three points.
The goal took Messi’s tally to 14 for the season and extended his scoring run to two matches. He had also found the net in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union in their previous MLS fixture.
However, Messi’s latest contribution could not prevent another disappointing result for the defending MLS champions, whose form has deteriorated markedly in recent weeks. The defeat was their fourth in five matches across competitions.
Inter Miami were eliminated from Leagues Cup in the opening round after suffering two defeats. They then lost 4-1 to Nashville SC before drawing with Philadelphia Union earlier in the week.
The latest loss means Inter Miami have now gone almost a month without a victory in MLS. They remain second in the Eastern Conference, but their position is under increasing pressure as the regular season progresses.
The club must regain consistency quickly if they are to retain a place in the top four and secure home advantage in the opening round of the play-offs.
Toronto FC, meanwhile, recorded only their fifth MLS win in 21 matches this season. The result also extended their unbeaten run to four games and strengthened their hopes of challenging for a place in the post-season.
Sargent’s opener came after Toronto had kept Inter Miami at bay for much of the contest, while Etienne’s goal gave the hosts a two-goal cushion before Messi’s late intervention. Inter Miami’s attempts to turn the momentum around ultimately fell short, leaving Toronto to celebrate a valuable victory and Miami to reflect on another missed opportunity.