Inter Miami Edges Out Toronto FC, Advances to Round of 16 in Leagues Cup

Inter Miami CF secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Toronto FC at Chase Stadium on Thursday night, propelling them into the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup. The game, highlighted by stellar performances and defensive lapses, showcased both the brilliance and vulnerability of the reigning champions.

Veteran defender Jordi Alba played a pivotal role in Miami’s triumph, delivering four assists—an all-time record in Leagues Cup history. His contributions were instrumental in setting up three goals within the first 20 minutes, giving Miami an early upper hand. Matías Rojas, Diego Gómez, and Luis Suárez were the beneficiaries of Alba’s playmaking, each finding the back of the net in quick succession.

Despite being reduced to 10 men for much of the match following David Martínez’s first-half red card, Inter Miami managed to maintain their lead, largely thanks to Alba’s fourth assist, which set up a stunning long-range goal by Rojas in the 59th minute. This goal provided Miami with a much-needed cushion as Toronto FC launched a spirited comeback.

Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne kept the visitors in contention with two penalty goals, one in the 15th minute and another in the 41st, capitalizing on Miami’s defensive lapses. However, Miami’s resilience prevailed, even as an own goal by Noah Allen in the 79th minute added to the tension in the final stages of the match.

The absence of Lionel Messi, sidelined with an ankle injury, was felt by the team, but the return of Luis Suárez to the starting lineup provided a significant boost. Meanwhile, Diego Gómez made his first appearance since representing Paraguay in the Paris Olympics, further strengthening Miami’s squad.

As Inter Miami advances to face either the Columbus Crew or Sporting Kansas City in the next round, the team will need to address its defensive issues if it hopes to continue its run in the tournament. While the attacking prowess was on full display, the match also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining composure under pressure.

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