Late Leonardo Campana Goal Seals win for Inter Miami in 1-0 Victory over Toronto FC

Inter Miami CF secured a dramatic 1-0 win over Toronto FC in a closely fought game at BMO Field, Major League Soccer. The match became increasingly one-way as stoppage time entered and it was there that a stoppage-time Leo Campana strike sealed the win for Miami. Toronto’s own fans would have left feeling they made little of some promising attacks after failing to find the back of the net in their own home.

First Half: Defense Line Deadlock
The first half was marked by heavy defensive efforts by both sides. Toronto FC, home and playing in front of its own fans, seemed determined to enforce their superiority right at the opening minutes, but Inter Miami managed to hold firm. Toronto FC was upping possession through the opening stages, though it could not translate this into any notable chances.

Inter Miami tried to play on the counter. Although they had less possession, they created a few danger moments through Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in midfield. Yet, neither of the teams could break the deadlock as the first half went to the book without any goal.

Toronto FC had several onrushing attacks via Lorenzo Insigne and Deandre Kerr, and it appeared as though Miami’s defense, particularly in the shape of Drake Callender, would prove impenetrable. As the half wore on towards its end, it became clear it would take something close to special to unlock the game.

Second Half: Miami’s Changing Attack
This second half was wilder for Inter Miami with the midfield coach Gerardo Martino doing an important substitution to change the vibes of the team. Messi, and Sergio Busquets got to the field after 61 minutes, bringing a level of creativity Miami had not utilized until then. Busquets did well in controlling the midfield; this allowed Miami to hold possession when sending the ball forward for the rest of the half.

Toronto FC wanted to take advantage of their home-field bias, as well, so made their own changes with Richie Petretta and new signing Morten Longstaff. Those gave more pace and width to Toronto’s attacking, but they just couldn’t seem to find that finish in the attacking third.

The match entered its final 30 minutes, and Inter Miami started to dominate possession, mainly courtesy of Messi as they constructed attacking movements. Toronto FC’s defense held up very well at the expense of its center-back Shane O’Neill to blunt most of Miami’s forays forward. Toronto remained a threat with counter-attacks but lacked finishing power as their shooting chances were shut down by the Miami defense.

Campana’s late heroics
The game appeared to enter into a goalless draw. As the game looked set to go into extra time, Inter Miami were insisting, and persistence eventually paid off in stoppage time. In the 90+3′ minute, substitute Luis Suárez provided a well-placed pass to Leonardo Campana, who slotted the ball into the side of the net past the hands of Toronto FC’s goalkeeper, Tomas Romero, giving Miami the much-needed 1-0 lead.

His goal is a product of his calmness and clinical finishing. He received the ball in the box, with two defenders on him, but remained calm to shoot a low ball into the bottom corner of the post. The players and even staff members were very ecstatic as they conquered an important three points away from home.

For Toronto FC, it was an ugly blow late, as they played well for most of the game and had to feel disappointing not to come out of here with at least a point. For most of the game, Toronto’s defense had proven to be sound, but at the moment one would have needed them to be concentrated, Campana made his chance and opened up to score this match-winning goal.

Key Stats and Match Highlights
Possession: The away side enjoyed 57% possession, whereas the host side could only manage to have 43%.
Shots on Target: Although Toronto FC was behind the opponents in shots on target – 7 to 2, that was not sufficient to take the lead and end the match when the visitors managed to capitalize with their only shots on target in injury time with the goal from Campana.
Corners: The home side was ahead in corners taken as 6 to 1 for Inter Miami, but they did not make use of it.
Fouls: Toronto FC committed 11 fouls, while Miami kept things quite clean with just 5 fouls.

Tactical Analysis: Miami’s Second-Half Surge
The tactical switch Inter Miami made in the second half were all that said it in winning the game. Introducing Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets helped Miami to gain ownership of the center midfield from Toronto. Messi, with his better control, had the run of play where he could find pockets of space and keep the pressure on Toronto’s defense. Busquets made sure the buildup stayed smooth, as long as possible and provided no means to do anything but their well-choreographed pattern to Miami.

Leonardo Campana was perfectly positioned for his goal. He was a constant threat in the box all game and when the moment finally came, he composed himself so well to score.
The pass from Luis Suárez who also entered at halftime, illustrates the type of depth Miami possesses attack.

Missed Chances Toronto FC
Toronto FC will regret missing that many chances today; they simply out-shot Miami marginally with more shots on target and seemed to miss the cutting edge or edginess that would have helped them convert chances into goals. That near -world-class attacking performer, Lorenzo Insigne, was marked out of the game for long spells of the match and found he could hardly make any impact.

Another important reason that saw Toronto lose was their inability to take advantage from the corner kicks. In the match, Toronto cornered the ball six times, but none of them brought serious threats to the Miami’s goal. The coach needs to work on this very thing in training as set pieces make a lot of difference when the matches are too close.

Conclusion: Momentum Continues with Miami
Inter Miami triumphed 1-0 over Toronto FC, taking another step forward as part of a strong run of form. Leonardo Campana’s late goal showed, albeit in small measure, what’s been so glaringly obvious about the team: a way to win when it all looked otherwise locked down for a draw. A boost from Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets playing for the team, Miami is poised to make a very good run toward the MLS playoffs.

Toronto FC is going to find this a very hard one to swallow, because although they played for so much of the match, they were beaten by one piece of magic from Miami and now must pick up themselves and continue their march into the postseason.

Now that the MLS season is heating up, Inter Miami would be one of the squads to watch out for with their increasing confidence coupled with tactical flexibility under Messi and Busquets. It’s time for Toronto FC to add to such consistency as they have thus far and try to turn around the season.

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