In a thrilling encounter at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami CF and Toronto FC played to a 1-1 draw on April 6, 2025, with Lionel Messi once again stealing the spotlight. The match saw Messi scoring the equalizer for Miami, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Inter Miami, boasting an impressive record of 4 wins, 0 losses, and 2 draws (14 points), took the field with a strong lineup. Goalkeeper Drake Callender made his first start of the 2025 MLS regular season, supported by a back line featuring Ian Fray, Tomás Avilés, Gonzalo Luján, and Jordi Alba. The midfield was anchored by Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo, Messi, Robert Taylor, and Telasco Segovia, while Luis Suárez led the attack.
Despite Inter Miami's dominance, it was Toronto FC that struck first. In the dying moments of the first half, Federico Bernardeschi found the back of the net in the 45’+2’ minute, giving Toronto a surprising lead. However, Messi responded swiftly, leveling the match just three minutes later. Segovia set up Messi with a precise pass inside the box, and the captain unleashed a left-footed volley into the corner of the net, marking his third goal of the season and sixth across all competitions in 2025.
With this goal, Messi achieved a remarkable feat, surpassing Gonzalo Higuaín's record for the most goal contributions in Inter Miami's MLS regular season history. Messi now holds 44 goal contributions (24 goals and 20 assists) in just 29 matches, accomplishing this in 38 fewer games than Higuaín.
The second half saw Inter Miami maintaining a commanding presence, dominating possession with 62.8% and firing 22 shots at the Toronto goal, compared to Toronto's 13. However, despite their efforts, the score remained unchanged, and both teams settled for a point.
Head coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the challenges posed by Toronto, stating, "It was a difficult game that we fought. Toronto maybe is not in a good position in the table, but they have good quality up front and today they played very well." He emphasized the need for his team to focus on their upcoming match against LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.
Toronto FC, still searching for their first win of the season with a record of 0-4-3, showed resilience throughout the match. Coach Robin Fraser praised his team's commitment, noting, "We talked about being engaged and the fact that moments have hurt us in past games. Tonight, the engagement was really, really good." Despite the draw, it marked Toronto's first-ever point at Miami, who had previously bested them in all five meetings in Florida.
Toronto's performance was highlighted by their attacking prowess, as they hit the woodwork twice in the opening 20 minutes and created several scoring opportunities. Bernardeschi's goal came after a giveaway by Busquets, as he skillfully maneuvered past three defenders before slotting the ball home.
Messi's goal, which survived a video review for a potential handball, was a testament to his skill and determination. Fraser remarked, "Messi is the best player that’s ever played the game. It’s hard to stop him. And he found a good spot and his finish was that of a very, very good player."
The match was a showcase of attacking football, with both teams combining for 20 shots in the first half alone. Miami had two goals disallowed, including a potential highlight-reel goal from Messi that was ruled out after video review confirmed a foul in the buildup.
As the match concluded, Inter Miami extended their unbeaten run to six games to start the 2025 MLS regular season. The team is now looking ahead to a crucial match against LAFC on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.
Fans are eager to witness whether Messi can continue his scoring streak and help Miami advance in the tournament. Tickets for the upcoming match are selling fast, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric as Miami aims to bounce back after their recent loss to LAFC.
In summary, the 1-1 draw against Toronto FC showcased both teams' strengths and highlighted Messi's enduring brilliance on the field. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Inter Miami as they navigate their way through a busy schedule and strive for success in both the MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup.
