FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi found the back of the net for the third time in four Major League Soccer games this season, helping Inter Miami secure a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on Sunday evening.
This goal marked Messi’s 40th for Inter Miami across all competitions, further solidifying his record for the franchise. The goal came five minutes into first-half stoppage time, a left-footed volley executed from the top of the box.
The draw left Inter Miami with a record of 4-0-2, placing them just one point behind Columbus in the Eastern Conference standings, and with a game still to play over others.
Messi’s equalizer followed just three minutes after Federico Bernardeschi scored for Toronto, giving them a short-lived lead. An earlier attempt by Messi was annulled when a foul was detected leading up to the potential goal.
Toronto has struggled to maintain leads this season, having only led once before for a brief period in a match against Chicago last month. On this occasion, Messi promptly leveled the score.
Messi has consistently scored in all four MLS matches he has participated in this season for Inter Miami. This record contributes to Inter Miami’s overall season tally of 8-1-2, encompassing four victories in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Their sole defeat came against LAFC in the same competition last week, with the return leg of that fixture scheduled for Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.
Toronto will face Minnesota at home this Saturday, while Inter Miami will resume MLS action next Sunday against the Chicago Fire.