It’s hard not to be amazed by Inter Miami. A team that, since its inception, seems to have been designed to live on the edge. Last Thursday at Chase Stadium, they once again proved that normalcy is a foreign concept to them. In a game that had it all—quick goals, penalties, a red card, and a player who seemed like he was from another planet—Inter Miami secured a 4-3 victory over Toronto FC, advancing to the Round of 16 in the 2024 Leagues Cup.
Leo Messi, the Argentine genius, watched from the sidelines, still recovering from an ankle injury. Without him, Inter Miami knew they’d have to dig deep to find that spark that so often appears when it’s least expected. And that’s exactly what they did.
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The star of the night, unexpectedly, was Jordi Alba. The Spanish left-back, who isn’t exactly known for being an assist machine, decided to show he can do a lot more than just defend. With a performance that defies any logic, Alba turned into the maestro of a chaotic symphony. He provided four assists—a personal record—that led Inter Miami to victory. Each pass was like a work of art, calculated with surgical precision and executed with the finesse of someone who’s mastered the craft like few others.
The game started with an intensity that would leave anyone on the edge of their seat. The referee had barely blown the whistle, and Matías Rojas was already finding the back of the net. A pinpoint shot, a goal that opened the scoring and set the tone for what would be an unforgettable match. Then, Diego Gómez took advantage of another sweet pass from Alba and made it 2-0. Toronto’s team barely had time to process what was happening before they found themselves two goals down.
But, as in any good drama, the tide began to turn. Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC’s star, converted a penalty and cut the deficit. It wouldn’t be the last time he did so that night. Inter Miami’s response was swift. In a lethal counterattack, Alba once again crossed the ball with precision, and Luis Suárez, with his trademark composure, scored the home team’s third goal. The scoreboard read 3-1, and it felt like the game was already decided.
But fate, as we know, loves to play tricks. In a controversial play, David Martínez was sent off, leaving Inter Miami down a man. What could have been a disaster, however, turned into another chapter in this story that seems written to defy the laws of logic. Insigne converted another penalty, and Toronto FC went into halftime only one goal behind.
In the second half, every move felt like it carried the weight of the world. But Inter Miami, with a resilience rarely seen, managed to extend their lead once more. Matías Rojas, the name of the night alongside Alba, scored his second goal with a long-range shot, a masterpiece that sealed the game’s fate. The goal was enough to secure the victory, even with Toronto FC managing to score a third goal thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Noah Allen.
Inter Miami showed that even without their main star, they’re capable of facing any adversity and coming out on top. Their next stop will be against the winner of the Columbus Crew vs. Sporting Kansas City match, and there’s no doubt that the team will be ready for another battle.