Messi sets record in Inter Miami win over Toronto FC

He broke the previous record held by Toronto legend Sebastian Giovinco, who reached the mark in 95 matches. Messi now has 59 goals and 41 assists since joining Inter Miami late in the 2023 season.Emilio Aristizábal scored twice for Toronto (3-4-5, 14 points).Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute when De Paul’s free kick from 25 yards ricocheted off the wall, and his right-footed follow-up struck the post and went in.Suárez doubled the lead in the 56th minute, finishing a Messi pass with his left foot. Miami capitalised on the moment as Toronto forward Raheem Edwards remained down on the pitch. In the 73rd minute, Miami made it 3-0 as Messi set up Reguilón, who scored his first MLS goal. Two minutes later, De Paul connected with Messi inside the box to extend the lead to 4-0.Aristizábal pulled one back in the 82nd minute, before adding a second in the 90th minute with a header from a Kobe Franklin cross to make it 4-2.Toronto had early chances, with Alonso Coello’s free kick in the eighth minute saved by Dayne St. Clair. Malik Henry, Markus Cimermancic and Deandre Kerr also missed the target shortly after.Miami began to assert control late in the first half, with Messi narrowly missing in the 37th minute. St. Clair later produced a diving save to deny Daniel Sallói and preserve Miami’s lead before halftime.Shortly after the break, Suárez forced a turnover that led to a two-on-one opportunity, but his shot from inside the box went off target.