Lionel Messi made more MLS history as Inter Miami bounced back from their Florida derby collapse as they claimed a 4-2 away win at Toronto.
Guillermo Hoyos’ men surrendered a three-goal lead in their 4-3 loss to Orlando City last time out but, despite a late flurry from the hosts, Messi and Co. ensured they got back to winning ways to move into second in the MLS Eastern Conference.
While they have yet to win at home in MLS in their first season at the recently completed Nu Stadium, Miami have been excellent on the road this term, and victory over Toronto marked their sixth away from home.
Messi was predictably to the fore with a goal and two assists, with his three goal involvements taking him to 100 in MLS.
The 38-year-old is the fastest player to 100 goal involvements in MLS history, Messi requiring just 64 games to get to three figures, scoring 59 goals and providing 41 assists.
De Paul and Suarez give Inter Miami command
Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring in superb fashion in the 44th minute, his blistering long-range volley breaking the deadlock after his initial free-kick hit the wall.
Messi then teed up Luis Suarez to make it 2-0 with a clever ball to the far post, Suarez played onside due to Toronto Raheem Edwards lying on the ground with an injury.
Messi scores history making goal
A trademark Messi free-kick was kept out by a flying save from Luka Gavran, but there was nothing the Toronto goalkeeper could do to prevent Sergio Reguilon making it 3-0.
Messi was involved again as he teed up Reguilion, who turned neatly in the the box before firing across Gavran to give Miami complete command.
And Messi then registered his third goal involvement of the game as he got on the scoresheet himself to reach three figures.
The Argentina legend left Gavran helpless as he met compatriot De Paul’s pull back with a fine first-time finish to score his ninth MLS goal of the campaign.
Inter Miami move into second despite late Toronto rally
Yet it was far from a perfect day for Miami, who once again failed to keep a clean sheet as the same defensive fallibility that was obvious against Orlando became apparent once again.
Toronto were gifted a consolation as Miami’s Daniel Ayala slipped on the ball in his own box, allowing Daniel Salloi to square for Emilio Aristizabal to roll into an empty net.
Aritzabal then made the scoreline much more respectable for Toronto as he doubled his tally.
The Colombian rose to meet Kobe Franklin’s right-wing cross with a fine header that found the bottom-right corner.
With eight minutes of injury time added on after that 90th-minute goal, Toronto had time to bring about an even more remarkable collapse from Miami.
But it did not materialise as Miami leapfrogged New England Revolution into second place in the East, though Hoyos’ men have played two games more. Toronto stay eighth.
Miami face another away game on Thursday, as they travel to face Cincinnati.
