Left-back Jordi Alba provided four assists and Luis Suarez scored his 16th goal since joining Inter Miami as his side overcame being reduced to 10 men after 27 minutes to beat Toronto 4-3 at the Chase Stadium and progress to the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup 2024.
Miami looked to be cruising when Matias Rojas put them ahead after three minutes – the midfielder’s first goal since playing for Paraguay at the Copa America 2024 – and Diego Gomez doubled their advantage eight minutes later.
Former Italy winger Lorenzo Insigne replied from the penalty spot before Suarez chipped in with 20 minutes played, but Miami manager Gerardo Martinez might have feared a change of momentum when centre-back David Martinez was sent off.
Insigne added a second spot kick four minutes before the break, but Rojas curled in with 31 minutes remaining to ensure that Noah Allen’s 79th-minute own goal was not enough for Toronto.
ASÍ LA PICÓ LUIS SUAREZ 😳😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aei4VG5qpT
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 9, 2024
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Inter Miami vs Toronto: ‘Unfair’
“I told the players at half-time to persevere against adversity,” said Martino, praising his players. “From a game point of view, I had nothing to say.
“It was about trying to be ourselves in the face of an unfair situation. We had scored two goals and had two or three very clear chances afterwards.”
Martino described Miami’s marking inside the penalty area for Toronto’s goals and Martinez’s dismissal as “reckless” but the brilliance of wideman Alba proved crucial.
The 35-year-old former Spain international and six-time Spanish champion with Barcelona took his total to 13 assists this season.
QUE GOLAZO HICISTE MATÍAS 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/6m58XRFt4R
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 9, 2024
Leagues Cup 2024: Miami progress
In the absence of injured striker Lionel Messi, the result was Miami’s second home win over Toronto in little more than three weeks, having beaten them 3-1 in the MLS on July 18.
A 2-1 defeat to Mexican side Tigres meant Miami finished second in their Leagues Cup group with their second loss in five matches in all competitions.
They will visit the winner of the match between Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in the next game of their title defence.
Columbus are third in the Eastern Conference, 10 points behind leaders Miami with two matches in hand. City are 12th in the Western Conference, losing 14 of their 26 league games.
