🎥 Seven goals and a red card! Chaos erupts in Miami’s clash with Toronto
Chaos is reigning supreme in Fort Lauderdale this evening as the non-stop first half of Inter Miami’s round-of-32 clash with Toronto has seen five goals and a red card.
The hosts found themselves in front in a flash thanks to Matías Rojas, who has impressed throughout the tournament, got his name back on the scoresheet in the opening three minutes.
An electric start in Miami! ⚡
Matias Rojas strikes early for the home side in @LeaguesCup!
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/5pFAk3Znif pic.twitter.com/NHaA4AjlGi
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 8, 2024
Only a few minutes later, Diego Gómez, who only just returned from Olympic duties with Paraguay, picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box to show why he is likely on his way to Brighton in the Premier League, and extend Miami’s lead.
Another goal! ✌️
Diego Gomez doubles the Miami lead over Toronto. #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/VloVJoKBQp
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 8, 2024
The action would not stop there however, and Toronto showd that they will not go out without a fight. After a silly defensive error in the Miami box, Lorenzo Insigne cut the lead in half from the penalty-spot.
Lorenzo Insigne 🇮🇹⚽️
Watch @InterMiamiCF 🆚 @TorontoFC on Apple TV
📺 https://t.co/3r0h9AlZiP pic.twitter.com/OL6VwJy5GO
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 8, 2024
Yet Miami regained their advantage only minutes later thanks to an audacious Luis Suárez chip over Sean Johnson in the Toronto goal, and Messi loved it from the sidelines.
Suarez chip! 🤩
Miami restores its two-goal lead! #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/81ncn9IBkU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2024
But just when it seemed like it just wouldn’t be Toronto’s night, they were given yet another gift in the form of a defensive howler when new signing David Martínez took down a Toronto attacker from behind, promptly being sent off after a VAR review.
¡ATENCIÓN! DAVID MARTÍNEZ EXPULSADO EN INTER MIAMI VS. TORONTO A LOS 27' DEL PT.
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— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) August 9, 2024
Did you think the drama would end there? Don’t be silly.
In the dying minutes of the half it was Jordi Alba’s turn to take down a Toronto forward in the box, forcing the referee to award the Canadian club their second penalty on the night. Of course, Insigne stepped up to secure his brace and cut Miami’s lead to one before the break.
This game. 😳
Insigne scores from the spot again to bring Toronto back within one. #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/LSIVJWvbMU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2024
40 minutes, five goals, two penalties, and a red card. What more could you ask for!?
To nobody’s surprise, the 10-men of Miami regained their two goal lead after the break thanks to an absolute stunner from Matías Rojas.
The passes. The movement. The goal. 🤩
Rojas nets his second, and 10-man Miami is up 4-2. #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/OZwTARNkfg
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2024
While Toronto pulled one back in the dying minutes, it was too-little, too-late, and the defending champs escaped from the thriller to move onto the next round.
