Messi scores but Miami slip to defeat against Toronto FC

Lionel Messi struck a superb late goal on Sunday, but it was not enough to prevent Inter Miami slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Toronto FC, who held on through eight minutes of stoppage time to seal an unlikely away win.

Messi's 14th goal of the season arrived in the 82nd minute, latching onto a delightful pass from Rodrigo De Paul that split two defenders before he finished calmly inside the box.

It came just a minute after Ian Fray had made a goal line clearance to deny Djordje Mihailovic.

Miami pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Toronto held firm. The visitors' goalkeeper, Luka Gavran, was rarely troubled, dealing comfortably with a stoppage time effort from David Ayala that proved Miami's only shot on target in the final period.

The damage had been done in a three minute burst midway through the second half. Josh Sargent broke the deadlock with a well placed left footed finish from the edge of the box after a slick passing move, before Derrick Etienne Jr added a second just three minutes later, converting a loose ball after a deflected cross towards Daniel Salloi fell his way.

Toronto's double strike came in a period of defensive disarray for Miami, who had just lost Sergio Reguilon to a potential injury in the 58th minute, with Noah Allen introduced in his place. Gonzalo Lujan had also departed earlier, forced off in the 26th minute.

The first half offered little in the way of clear chances amid choppy play from both sides. Luis Suarez came closest, firing wide from a promising position on the edge of the box in the 19th minute.

The result marked just Toronto's second win in ten away matches this season and their first ever victory in seven visits to Miami. It lifted them to 24 points and a run of two wins in their last four matches. Miami, who remain second in the Eastern Conference on 39 points, have now won only once in their last seven games across all competitions.