Inter Miami secured a 4-3 win over Toronto FC in the Leagues Cup Round of 32, with Jordi Alba playing a crucial role by providing four assists in the thrilling encounter.
The game got off to a dramatic start as Toronto’s Federico Bernardeschi made a costly error within the first two minutes.
Attempting a switch of play, Bernardeschi’s back pass, meant to cross his own goal, was intercepted by Matias Rojas.
The alert Paraguayan headed it directly into Luis Suarez’s path, but the Uruguayan forward couldn’t muster enough power to trouble Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson seriously.
Inter Miami, however, didn’t waste their next opportunity. Jordi Alba, who was influential throughout the match, delivered a perfect cross that sailed just over the head of Federico Redondo and landed at the feet of Rojas.
Unmarked on the right side of Johnson’s goal, Rojas took a composed touch before unleashing a half-volley that nestled into the bottom corner, giving Miami an early lead.
The Herons capitalized on their momentum, with Alba repeatedly exploiting the space behind Toronto’s right-back, Henry Wingo.
In the 12th minute, Alba received a lofted through-ball from Sergio Busquets. The veteran full-back, showing his class, set up Diego Gomez, who blasted a powerful strike from distance, doubling Miami’s lead in spectacular fashion.
With a 2-0 lead in just 12 minutes, it seemed like smooth sailing for Miami, until a moment of carelessness from Marcelo ‘Chelo’ Weigandt.
The defender brought down Derrick Etienne Jr. with a late challenge inside the box, as Etienne ran past him.
Lorenzo Insigne coolly converted the penalty, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Despite this setback, Miami struck again before the half-time whistle. Determined to make amends for his earlier miss, Suarez capitalized on another brilliant assist from Alba.
The full-back sent a curling over-the-top pass into Suarez’s path, and the striker made no mistake, lofting a delicate chip over Johnson to restore Miami’s two-goal cushion.
But the drama was far from over. Just moments after Suarez’s goal, Hector Martinez made a crucial mistake, shoving Prince Osei Owusu outside the box as the forward charged toward goal.
The reckless foul earned Martinez a straight red card, leaving Miami a man down. Insigne nearly capitalized on the ensuing free kick, but Drake Callender’s heroic save kept Miami’s lead intact.
Alba, who had been the hero up to that point, became the villain as halftime approached.
Trying to stop Owusu from advancing into Miami’s penalty area, Alba made a rash challenge from behind.
The stadium collectively held its breath as the referee pointed to the spot. Insigne stepped up once more, confidently converting his second penalty of the night to narrow Miami’s lead to 3-2 at the break.
Miami extended their advantage once again with a beautifully orchestrated team goal just before the hour mark.
A sequence of slick passes involving Redondo, Suarez, Alba, and Rojas culminated in Rojas unleashing a curling left-footed shot from outside the box, making it 4-2 and putting Miami firmly in control.
Toronto, refusing to go quietly, struck back in the 80th minute. Insigne delivered a teasing cross into the box, and Owusu rose above the Miami defense to head the ball past Callender, making it 4-3 and setting up a tense finish.
Despite intense pressure from Toronto in the final moments, Miami held on for the 4-3 victory.
With the win, the Herons’ quest to defend their Leagues Cup title continues as they advance to the last 16.
The team now eagerly awaits the return of their talisman, Lionel Messi, to boost their chances of retaining the trophy.
