By Alastair Talbot
Published: 11:30 p.m., September 20, 2023 | Updated: 01:40, September 21, 2023
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest results, team news and updates as Inter Miami and Lionel Messi return to MLS action to take on Toronto FC at DRV-PNK Stadium.
HALF-TIME: Miami 1-0: Messi leaves the pitch in the 38th minute and storms through the tunnel, visibly frustrated
The Herons go into the break in need of a change after losing two key players, Messi and Alba, but did just enough to take the lead after a few chances from Martinez, Messi and Farias.
Will Toronto rely heavily on Bernadeschi and Insigne getting back into the game in tonight’s second game?
Only time will tell…so stay tuned for more of our coverage after the break!
Inter Miami now only has possession of the ball
The Herons seemed to have the game under control long before halftime and Farias in particular tried a dirty trick by taking out two Toronto players in midfield. Hopefully we’ll have a clip showing this for you later.
GOALLLL! 1-0 MIAMI: Facundo Farias!
Finally! A breakthrough!! Noah Allen gets a cross into the box that is parried by Toronto goalkeeper Tomas Romero, but the ball ends up in the path of Farias. The midfielder scores the first goal into the open goal!! What a strike!!
The goal certainly lifted the mood in the DRV PNK stadium.
You can see Messi on his way through the tunnel!
Miami’s No. 10 appears frustrated with his departure and could be asked to take some tests while his teammates play the second half, as the Herons’ medical staff want to know what’s wrong with their star player as soon as possible!
Nine minutes are added…
There were so many delays in this game that it’s not hard to understand the long gap until the break.
The gaming action is underway again…
Since Messi left the pitch in the 38th minute, there has been some sort of water leak. Both teams are observed taking instructions from their respective coaches.
Messi sits next to Jordi Alba but does NOT seek treatment
That’s what today’s sideline reporter from Apple TV said, who also revealed that Messi is sitting next to his long-time pal Jordi Alba, who is holding an ice pack to his leg. At the moment, Messi’s injury doesn’t seem to be too worrying. We will keep you updated on any progress on this matter.
REPLACEMENT: Messi OUT for Robert Taylor
The only player to have improved his form in recent months came on as a substitute for Messi, who received a standing ovation from the crowd.
The superstar appears frustrated at leaving tonight’s game with an injury after standing motionless on the pitch for the final minutes while holding his calf.
There were a lot of substitutions due to injury in this half as both teams had to make two changes already…
REPLACEMENT: Jordi Alba will be replaced by Noah Allen
It looks like the former Barcelona full-back has left the pitch due to injury…
Chance at halftime for Toronto!
So uncharacteristic of Jonathan Rosario starting the game before getting in behind Miami’s defense and laying a pass across Miami’s goal for a teammate to shoot down. However, there was no one there! Incredible! There have been a lot of disappointments in this game so far…
Toronto can’t get out of its own half…
Miami’s strong pressing is working effectively as Toronto striker Lorenzo Insigne looks pretty isolated up front… both Herons full-backs, Jordi Alba and DeAndre Yedlin, have only been involved offensively in today’s game.
Toronto’s reserve player leaves injured…
It looks like Franco Ibarra is coming on for Brandon Servania, who only lasted fifteen minutes after replacing Victor Vasquez.
A third chance in a row for Messi!!!
Midfielder David Ruiz wins the ball back for Miami before passing it on, and a delicious cross lands at the far post into Messi’s path. The former Barca player simply directs his volley too high over the goal.
Toronto’s defense was completely out of action in the last five minutes of this game!
Another Messi chance!
This time the Argentine’s shot is blocked after getting past three Toronto FC defenders in the penalty area. The move started with Messi standing with his back to the goal before cutting inside and letting his feet do the talking as usual.
Messi chance!
The 36-year-old collects the ball and runs into space before blocking a shot that is confidently parried by Romero. After 18 minutes played it’s still 0-0, but a lot of action so far!
Martinez’s shot goes just wide!
Alba plays a high ball into the path of Martinez, who fends off a defender before pushing a shot past Tomas Romero’s goal!
Toronto hits the post!!!
So much bad luck from Deandre Kerr! He gets behind the Miami defense and goes one-on-one with Drake Callendar, who parries a low shot to his left before Kerr bounces the rebound off the post.
What a disappointment for Miami!!
SUBSTITUTION: Victor Vasquez comes on for Brandon Servania
Toronto has seen a change in midfield as Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Vasquez is substituted due to injury. He almost gave Miami the lead when Martinez’s shot went well over the crossbar in the first 10 minutes
Miami has the best chance of the game so far
Messi and Co. will continue to push for the floodgates to open, but Toronto’s defense has been able to hold its own against Miami’s high press so far tonight.
Toronto’s star player: Italian international and former Juventus winger Federico Benardeschi
The 29-year-old has scored 13 goals and 7 assists in 38 games since moving to Canada last year. His contributions aren’t just positive for a team that sits last in the Eastern Conference with 23 points from 29 games played.
Chance! Joseph Martinez
The man, who usually behaves clinically in the area, was unable to hit the target. ‘
Toronto midfielder Victor Vazquez, who used to play with Messi at FC Barcelona, loses the ball just outside his goalkeeper’s crease and Jose Martinez is the first player to react before firing his shot well over the crossbar.
Begin! Miami is underway!!
Playing in their trademark all-pink kit, the Herons applied pressure high up the pitch, which meant a nervous start for Toronto.
Miami’s playoff hopes suffered a major blow after last weekend’s loss to Atlanta
An eight-minute first-half collapse saw Miami fall from 1-0 to 3-1, and their unlikely playoff push suffered a huge setback in the process…it was Thiago Almeda who stole the spotlight in Messi’s absence.
Only a few moments left until kick-off…
Tonight’s game was scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. ET, but it appears there will be a slight delay of just a few minutes.
Pictures from the setup this evening at the DRV PNK Stadium
Messi stayed behind to watch his son train before Miami was beaten by Atlanta last week
The Argentine, who has scored 11 goals in as many games for Miami in the last two months, became involved in supporting his father last month while watching Inter Miami’s U12 team
Seven games remain on Miami’s path to the playoffs
The Herons will want to collect as many points as possible from now on. They are seven points behind ninth-place DC United, who are in the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Messi moved to Miami because he “couldn’t be the boss” at PSG, claims Thierry Henry
The France U-21 coach, who also happens to be the national team’s top goalscorer, says there was no structure for Messi when he played for the Ligue 1 champions. Read more:
Toronto’s starting XI
Soccer fans may recognize one or two familiar names in the Canadiens’ lineup tonight: Federico Bernadeschi and Lorenzo Insigne. Both came to the club last year from Juventus and Napoli
Messi was included in Miami’s starting XI this evening
The Herons field the World Cup winners with Josef Martinez in attack as it appears Messi will play as a sort of second striker. Miami’s captain will have two of his closest friends at the club, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, playing in midfield and left-back.
Hello and welcome to today’s MLS game in Miami!
The Herons will look to bounce back from their heavy 5-2 loss to Atlanta United last Saturday, while Toronto will look to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Canadian rivals Vancouver.
Messi is also expected to play for Miami for the first time since the international break! The 36-year-old was rested for Argentina’s final game – a 3-0 win over Bolivia – and Miami’s Tata Martino was reluctant to use him against Atlanta after only recently returning to the US from his home country.
How will the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner fare tonight? Will he keep Miami’s slim hopes of making the playoffs alive? Let’s find out…
Inter Miami 1-0 Toronto FC – MLS LIVE: Both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were forced off with injuries in the first half before Facundo Farias gave the hosts the lead with a volley
