Messi scored one and saw another ruled out, while Toronto showed enough on the break to earn a tricky point at Chase Stadium
Lionel Messi scored a wonderful goal, but Inter Miami dropped points in a 1-1 draw with a well-drilled Toronto FC side Sunday night. The reigning MLS MVP found the net once, and had another ruled out after a VAR decision. But Miami were also fickle at the back, and might have suffered a disappointing home loss had the visitors not hit the post multiple times in the first half.
Miami had a couple of good chances early, Jordi Alba and Telasco Segovia both seeing efforts well denied by Sean Johnson. Toronto responded, though, twice hitting the post off well-constructed moves of their own. Messi thought he had opened the scoring after 40 minutes thanks to a wonderful curled effort – but VAR intervened thanks to a foul in the build up.
Toronto struck first, with Lorenzo Insigne finding Federico Bernadeschi, who prodded past Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Messi equalized in first half stoppage time, a touch, shuffle and strike leaving Johnson stranded and setting up a fine second half.
The visitors should have made it two early in the second half after a flowing counter, but Bernadeschi fired wide. Luis Suarez matched his miss soon after, putting one just outside the post. The game tailed off after that.
Messi had his moments without carving out anything definitive. A tired Suarez was removed with 20 minutes to play. Toronto had one last go of things late on, but Callender kept Miami alive in second half stoppage time with a clever save at the near post. Fafa Picault's last second miss concluded what was an ultimately agreeable sharing of the points.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium.
Goalkeeper & Defense
Drake Callender (6/10):
Not fully sharp between the sticks. Made a few good saves, but could have reacted quicker on the goal.
Ian Fray (6/10):
A selfless showing down the right. Chased a few lost causes and offered an option on the overlap.
Tomas Aviles (7/10):
Covered the right channel effectively, kept the ball, and won all of his tackles.
Gonzalo Lujan (6/10):
Made to look rather silly by Bernadeschi on the Toronto opener, but was solid otherwise.
Jordi Alba (6/10):
Forced a tremendous save early on. Created all sorts of issues in the final third, but didn't track back on a few occasions.
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Robert Taylor (6/10):
Held his width effectively and created space for others. Removed at half time – suggesting he will likely be in the side Wednesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup vs LAFC.
Federico Redondo (6/10):
Did plenty of dirty work and almost ran himself into the ground. Lacked a bit of attacking quality, though.
Sergio Busquets (7/10):
Held down the middle while Redondo did all of the running around him. Surrendered the ball far too easily in the run up to the Toronto first. Redeemed himself by playing a role in the equalizer.
Telasco Segovia (7/10):
Understatedly good. Didn't appear to be doing loads, but ended the night with four chances created and an assist.
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Lionel Messi (8/10):
Had one goal disallowed, scored a ridiculous equalizer just before the break. Everything ran through him. Immensely impactful despite not being fully fit as he ramps up his injury return.
Luis Suarez (6/10):
Linked play effectively in the final third. Subbed after 70 minutes, getting himself a well-earned rest.
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Fafa Picault (6/10):
Stretched the play with his pace, but could have moved the ball better. Missed a good chance in the last second.
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):
Toronto had little joy down his wing.
Allen Obando (5/10):
Squandered a golden chance to give his side a late lead on his debut. Committed a couple of silly fouls.
Yannick Bright (6/10):
Came on and bossed the midfield for fun.
Santiago Morales (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Javier Mascherano (6/10):
Rested a few big names with one eye on Champions Cup action midweek. His side were quality at times, but vulnerable on the break. You can't win every game, and this isn't a dreadful point – even if he would have expected three.
