Messi leads Inter Miami to victory over Toronto
Led by Messi, Inter Miami defeated Toronto FC 2-0 at BMO Field. The Canadians have now gone six games without a win in MLS.
Inter Miami’s visit to Toronto served as the final test for BMO Field ahead of the World Cup. Next Monday, May 11, the Reds’ home ground will be handed over to FIFA and will reopen on June 12 for the match between Canada and Bosnia. Messi’s presence therefore acted as a trial run for the summer fixtures, when crowds of 45,000 are expected for each game.
After suffering a surprising elimination from the Canadian Championship in midweek, Toronto FC entered Saturday’s match determined to end a six-game winless streak.
In the 20th minute, Deandre Kerr produced the home side’s first dangerous opportunity when he found himself alone in front of goal, but Micael dos Santos managed to intercept the shot just as it looked certain to open the scoring.
Rodrigo De Paul with a golazo! 💥@InterMiamiCF strikes first in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/0xONSgCudB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 9, 2026
With few clear chances for either side, the match appeared destined to end goalless, but Rodrigo De Paul changed the script. In the 43rd minute, the Argentine midfielder struck a free kick that hit the wall, only for the rebound to fall straight back to him. Without hesitation, he volleyed the ball into the far corner beyond Luka Gavran. Amid a mix of applause and boos, Inter Miami went into half-time with the lead.
In the second half, Inter Miami controlled possession and quickly found a second goal. In the 55th minute, Toronto FC lost the ball in their own half, and although the hosts appealed for a foul on Raheem Edwards, play continued. With the number 44 still on the ground, Luis Suárez was left unmarked and calmly finished one-on-one, silencing the home crowd.
In the 73rd minute, Sergio Reguilón scored his first goal for Inter Miami. The Spaniard combined with Lionel Messi in a one-two before placing the ball into the far corner, leaving Luka Gavran with no chance. Messi’s performance continued to shine two minutes later when he finished a pass from De Paul inside the box to make it 4-0 and effectively seal the victory.
Toronto FC responded through Emilio Aristizábal in the 81st and 89th minutes, but the late goals only made the scoreline more respectable in Inter Miami’s win.
With the result, little changed in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Inter Miami remain second with 22 points, while Toronto FC stay on 14 points in eighth place. However, the remaining results from around the league will determine whether both teams hold their positions.
De Paul ➡️ Messi ➡️ Suárez
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 9, 2026
Luis Suárez makes it a 2-0 @InterMiamiCF lead. pic.twitter.com/O1Xn8QpjX1
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- 1 Luka Gavran
- 44 Raheem Edwards (69')
- 12 Zane Monlouis
- 19 Kobe Franklin
- 25 Walker Zimmerman
- 71 Markus Cimermancic (64')
- 21 Jonathan Osorio
- 20 Daniel Salloi
- 14 Alonso Coello
- 78 Malik Henry
- 29 Deandre Kerr (64')
- Substitutes
- 77 Adisa De Rosario
- 11 Derrick Etienne (64')
- 98 Stefan Kapor
- 23 Yarbrough
- 17 Emilio Aristizábal x2 (64')
- 64 Jahmarie Nolan
- 15 Nicksoen Gomis
- 73 Micah Chisholm (69')
- 79 Fletcher Bank
- 97 Dayne St. Clair
- 16 Micael
- 32 Noah Allen (67')
- 2 Gonzalo Luján
- 4 Facundo Mura
- 42 Yannick Bright (77')
- 7 De Paul
- 8 Telasco Segovia (77')
- 10 Messi
- 19 Germán Berterame
- 9 Luis Suárez (77')
- Substitutes
- 37 Maximiliano Falcón
- 88 Alexander Shaw
- 34 Rocco Ríos Novo
- 41 David Ruíz
- 59 Preston Plambeck (77')
- 56 Dániel Pintér (77')
- 24 Mateo Silvetti
- 3 Reguilón (67')
- 22 David Ayala (77')
Substitutions
Emilio Aristizábal (64', Deandre Kerr), Derrick Etienne Jr. (64', Markus Cimermancic), Sergio Reguilón (67', Noah Allen), Micah Chisholm (69', Raheem Edwards), Preston Plambeck (77', Telasco Segovia), Dániel Pintér (77', Luis Suárez), David Ayala (77', Yannick Bright)
Goals
0-1, 43': De Paul, 0-2, 55': Luis Suárez, 0-3, 72': Reguilón, 0-4, 74': Messi, 1-4, 81': Emilio Aristizábal, 2-4, 89': Emilio Aristizábal
Cards
Referee: Victor Manuel Rivas
VAR Referee: Geoff Gamble, Claudiu Badea
Raheem Edwards (50',Yellow), Luis Suárez (60',Yellow), Dániel Pintér (88',Yellow)
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