Messi puts on show as Inter Miami rallies for 1-1 draw with Toronto FC

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi’s goal in first-half stoppage time lifted Inter Miami CF into a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC in an entertaining MLS game Sunday.

Toronto (0-4-3) has yet to win this season but, after four straight losses, is showing real signs of life with Sunday’s performance and last week’s scoreless draw with the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps.

Both teams had chances to win the game with the clock winding down but could not take advantage. Miami outshot Toronto 22-13 (9-4 in shots on target) on the night.

Miami (4-0-2) came into weekend play atop the Supporters’ Shield standings, 11 points and 25 places ahead of TFC.

It marked Toronto’s first point at Miami, which is 8-2-1 all-time against TFC having won all five previous meetings in Florida.

It was a wide-open affair that saw Toronto hit the woodwork twice in the first 20 minutes, Miami have two goals disallowed in the first half and both goals scored in first-half stoppage time.

The teams combined for 20 shots in the first half alone, with Miami holding a 12-8 edge (5-2 in shots on target). The 37-year-old Messi, who had another goal called back, was dangerous every time he touched the ball.

It was all-out defending from Toronto, with some close calls and players putting their body on the line to stop Miami. But there was also offence from the visitors.

Federico Bernardeschi put Toronto ahead two minutes into first-half injury time after a giveaway by Sergio Busquets, under pressure from Theo Corbeanu, off a Miami throw-in. Lorenzo Insigne got the ball and found Bernardeschi who showed his ball skills in evading three defenders in the penalty box before poking the ball home past Drake Callender for his second of the season.

Messi tied it three minutes later in stoppage time, firing a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty box through Nicksoen Gomis’ legs for his third of the season (and seventh in all competitions). The goal survived video review for a possible earlier Miami handball.

It marked Messi’s club-record 44th goal contribution (24 goals, 20 assists) — moving him past Gonzalo Higuain for the most in regular-season play. Messi did it in 38 fewer games.

Messi, already the club’s all-time leader in assists (20), is now just five goals behind Higuain (29 goals).

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Miami was coming off a 1-0 loss Wednesday at Los Angeles FC in the opening leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal. It marked the Herons’ first setback of the campaign after an 8-0-1 start across all competitions.

Sunday marked Miami’s third game in eight days with a busy week to follow — starting Wednesday with the return leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tie before a weekend trip to resurgent Chicago.

But coach Javier Mascherano did not give his stars a rest, with Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Busquets all starting.

Toronto coach Robin Fraser made four changes to his starting 11 with Kosi Thompson, Deybi Flores, Corbeanu and Brynhildsen slotting in. There was a third straight start for Insigne, who did not dress the first four games of the season.

Newly signed Toronto midfielder Maxime Dominguez came off the bench in the 73rd minute. Toronto was without injured defenders Richie Laryea, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo as well as wingback Tyrese Spicer and forward Deandre Kerr.

Up next, Toronto hosts Minnesota United on Saturday.