Toronto FC midfielder Alonso Coello (14) blocks a shot attempt from Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) during the first half at BMO Field.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami played to a 1-1 draw on the road against Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Inter Miami's Tadeo Allende scored a header (45’+1’) after an assist by Jordi Alba in a sequence started by Messi, who received the secondary assist for the play just before halftime.

However, Toronto's Djordje Mihailovic tied the match early in the second half, providing the finish on a sliding assist by Richie Laryea in the 60th minute.

Messi entered the match in the lead for the MLS Golden Boot with 24 goals, but was held scoreless for the first time since Sept. 13. Messi scored five goals in his previous three matches, but he was unable to get past Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson in this contest.

Messi still leads MLS with 37 goal contributions (24 goals, 13 assists), which could fuel his bid to become the first player in league history to win consecutive MVP awards.

Inter Miami chases points, entering the match five points behind the Philadelphia Union in the standings for the Supporters’ Shield – which Inter Miami won in 2024.

Inter Miami is in a five-team race for the MLS regular-season title in 2025. They have 56 points after the draw in Toronto. Inter Miami played in the first of 13 matches on Saturday – so, the standings will be affected following the other matches.

Philadelphia (60 points, at D.C. United), San Diego (57 points, at San Jose) and Vancouver (56 points, at Seattle) are all in action on Saturday night, while Cincinnati (58 points) will host Orlando City on Sunday Night Soccer.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami match:

Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC

Inter Miami 1, Toronto FC 1: Messi’s free kick punched away

Messi lined up for a free kick. His shot passed the wall of players, but was punched away by Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 83rd minute. That’s four saves by Johnson against Messi in the match, and another effort to keep this match tied in the closing minutes.

Inter Miami 1, Toronto 1: Messi misses left boot in 76’

Messi’s first shot attempt in the second half was a beauty: He received a backwards pass from Telasco Segovia, and sent a left boot in stride toward the net. But Toronto’s Sean Johnson secured his third save against Messi in the match.

Toronto 1, Inter Miami 1: Djordje Mihailovic scores in 60’

Toronto has tied it in the second half, as Djordje Mihailovic provided the finish on a sliding assist by Richie Laryea in the 60th minute. Toronto has been winless in their last six matches – all draws. Now they’ve tied it.

Inter Miami 1, Toronto 0: Second half underway

Inter Miami 1, Toronto 0: Tadeo Allende scores before halftime

Messi started the sequence with a pass to Jordi Alba, whose cross in front of the net was finished with a header by Tadeo Allende (45’+1’) to help Inter Miami take the lead before halftime.

Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0: Messi misses again before halftime 45’

Messi missed another chance in front of the net before halftime as Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson made another save. Luis Suarez received a yellow card for his attempt to secure the loose ball before Johnson did with his feet by pushing Toronto’s Kosi Thompson.

Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0: Alonso Coello misses shot in 35'

Toronto’s Alonso Coello sent a right boot toward the net in the 35th minute, but Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made the diving stop with his right hand.

Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0: Messi misses right boot in 29’

Sergio Busquets feeds Lionel Messi in the box, but Messi’s right boot was stopped again by Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 29th minute.

Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0: Messi misses in front of net in 16'

Messi appeared to grimace after he fell, trying to score in front of the net. Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson made the stop in the 16th minute. It was a busy sequence, which Inter Miami was untimely ruled offside on the initial play by Baltasar Rodriguez.

Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0: Baltasar misses shot after Messi pass in 12'

Inter Miami’s first shot on goal sees rookie Baltasar Rodríguez miss at the net after a pass from Messi inside the box in the 12th minute. Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson made the stop.

Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0: Messi takes the pitch, match begins

Is Messi playing today?

Yes, Messi is in the Inter Miami starting lineup.

Toronto vs. Inter Miami starting lineups

How to watch Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami: Live stream link here

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, and Apple TV+.

Watch MLS games all season long on Apple TV

What time is Toronto FC vs Inter Miami match?

The match begins at 4:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. in Argentina).

Buy Inter Miami tickets on StubHub

Where is the Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami match?

The match will be played at BMO Field in Toronto.

Will Inter Miami make the MLS playoffs?

Yes, Inter Miami has clinched a berth into the MLS Cup playoffs after their 4-0 victory against New York City FC on Sept. 24.

Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami betting odds

Here are the betting odds for today’s match, according to BETMGM.

  • Toronto FC: +290
  • Draw: +300
  • Inter Miami: -130
  • Over/under: 3.5 goals

What to know about Inter Miami and Toronto FC

Inter Miami is third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings (and fifth in MLS) with 55 points from 29 matches. They are five points away from Philadelphia Union for the MLS Supporters’ Shield lead with five matches remaining this season.

Toronto FC is 12th of 15 teams in the East with 27 points, but have already been eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention. Toronto enters the match following six straight draws, where they allowed just one goal in five of the six matches.

Sergio Busquets announces his retirement

Inter Miami also enters the Toronto match, following news that legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season. Busquets made the announcement on his Instagram account on Thursday, Sept. 25. Busquets won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, and was the first former FC Barcelona star to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami contract update

Messi is nearing a contract extension with Inter Miami to keep him in MLS and the United States for at least two more seasons through 2027, USA TODAY Sports reported on Sept. 17.

Will Messi play in 2026 World Cup?

Messi has yet to declare whether he will play in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer. But he did offer some insight after the Argentina match earlier this month.

“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it,” Messi said on Sept. 4. “Like I always say, I go day by day, match by match. That’s it taking it day by day, going by how I feel. Day by day, trying to feel good and above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don't feel good. So, we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.”

Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina

Here is Lionel Messi’s schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina through the end of the 2025 MLS season. The MLS Cup playoffs begin on Oct. 22.

  • Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 4: Inter Miami vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 10: Argentina vs. Venezuela, 8 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Miami)
  • Oct. 11: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 13: Puerto Rico vs. Argentina, 7 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Chicago)
  • Oct. 18: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, 6 p.m. ET

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami settle for draw vs. Toronto FC: Score, highlights

Reporting by Safid Deen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect