Inter Miami Punches Past Toronto FC 4–2 as Messi, Suárez & De Paul Put on a Clinic at BMO Field
Photo Credits: Indi Kumala
TORONTO - On a day meant to celebrate Toronto FC’s past, Inter Miami CF showed exactly why they’re the present. Despite a late surge from Emilio Aristizábal, the reigning MLS Cup champions walked out of BMO Field with a 4–2 win, powered by a ruthless second-half blitz from Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez, Sergio Reguilón, and Lionel Messi.
The loss sends Toronto into the World Cup break at 3W-4L-5T (14 points) bruised, but not broken and searching for answers in a season that has flirted with potential but continues to be haunted by inconsistency.
A Night for Legends Before the Chaos Began
Before the match even kicked off, BMO Field buzzed with emotion. As part of the club’s 20th-season celebrations, Jozy Altidore, one of the most important players in Toronto FC history, delivered the match ball and was officially inducted into Legends Row at halftime.
If the crowd needed a reminder of the glory years, Altidore’s ovation provided it. Unfortunately for them, Inter Miami spent the next 90 minutes explaining why nostalgia is better left in ceremonies, not scorelines.
First Half: Tightly Contested Until De Paul Drops the Hammer
Head coach Robin Fraser rotated heavily five changes from the midweek Canadian Championship win, introducing Dániel Sallói, Raheem Edwards, Zane Monlouis, Malik Henry, and Alonso Coello into the XI.
For most of the first half, the match was a tactical arm-wrestle. TFC pressed hard and defended well, forcing Miami to play more direct than usual. Messi found pockets but not breakthroughs. Suárez drifted deep looking for touches.
Then came the 44th minute where Miami pounced and took the lead!
A direct free kick from Rodrigo De Paul slammed into the Toronto wall, popped loose, and sat up beautifully for the world champion midfielder, who volleyed it into the bottom corner before Toronto could react.
Just like that: 1–0 Miami, a gut punch right before the break.
Second Half Collapse: Messi Turns Conductor, Toronto Falls Apart
Toronto came out of halftime needing composure. Instead, they got controversy.
In the 56th minute, while defender Raheem Edwards was down injured after a tackle, Messi slid a pass across the box to Luis Suárez, who smashed home Miami’s second goal. TFC players surrounded the referee, but after review, the goal stood.
From there, Inter Miami hit their highest gear.
In the 73rd minute, Messi, who had shifted fully into “puppet-master” mode, threaded a through ball to Sergio Reguilón, who slotted home the third. Two minutes later, Messi got one of his own, finishing inside the box from a slick De Paul pass to make it 4–0.
BMO Field went quiet. The kind of silence that says the fans have seen this movie before.
Photo Credits: Indi Kumala
Aristizábal Sparks Life: TFC Finally Punch Back
Toronto eventually woke up in the 82nd minute thanks to a brutal Miami mistake.
After a poor turnover by David Ayala, Sallói pounced, cutting the ball across to substitute Emilio Aristizábal, who tapped it home. It was Aristizábal’s second goal for the club and Sallói’s eighth goal contribution of the season. Proving again that the Hungarian is the pulse of this attack.
Then came the 90th-minute lifeline.
Walker Zimmerman, making his impact felt immediately, switched the ball out wide to Kobe Franklin, who delivered a pinpoint cross that Aristizábal smashed home with a towering header.
A brace. At 20 years old. Against the league champs.
If Toronto needed a positive to carry into the break, they just found one.
They nearly made it 4–3 in stoppage time. Zimmerman’s header grazed past the post, and Derrick Etienne Jr. was denied a penalty shout, but the comeback fell short.
