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Toronto FC produced a statement performance at Nu Stadium in Miami on Saturday, defeating the home side 2-1.

There was little to choose between the two teams for around the opening hour, with neither the Canadian outfit nor Lionel Messi’s Herons managing a shot on target.

Then the contest changed in an instant.

High-profile signing Josh Sargent netted his fourth goal of the season after being left completely unmarked at the edge of the box, curling his effort into the net despite plenty of bodies in front of him.

Derrick Etienne Junior then added his name to the decisive moments once more, having already helped create the opening goal.

He was left unmarked on the right flank and forced the ball home from a tight angle after reacting the quickest.

It was a defensive nightmare for Miami, who were slow to the ball on both goals. Naturally, attention later shifted to Messi to see whether he could rescue his side.

And he very nearly did.

The Argentina superstar combined once again with Rodrigo De Paul to make it 2-1, but that was where his personal impact on the scoresheet ended.

The defeat was Miami’s fourth loss of the MLS season. They are now without a win in five matches across all competitions.