Jordi Alba Shines as Inter Miami Triumphs Over Toronto FC in Leagues Cup Round of 32

Jordi Alba Shines as Inter Miami Triumphs Over Toronto FC in Leagues Cup Round of 32

In a gripping match that saw seven goals, Jordi Alba emerged as the star, guiding Inter Miami CF to a 4-3 victory over Toronto FC in the Leagues Cup Round of 32. The match, held on Thursday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was a spectacle of football prowess and tactical brilliance. Alba's contribution, in particular, will be etched in the memory of fans, as he set a new single-match assist record by assisting all four goals for the Florida-based club.

A Record-Breaking Performance by Alba

From the onset, Alba was a force to be reckoned with. The veteran Spanish left-back, known for his blistering pace and pinpoint crosses, did not disappoint. His first assist came as early as the third minute, setting up Matías Rojas for a shot from the right side of the penalty area. Rojas didn't hesitate and found the back of the net, giving Inter Miami an early lead and setting the tone for what was to come.

Just eight minutes later, in the 11th minute, Alba was at it again. This time, his assist found Diego Gómez inside the penalty arc, who coolly slotted the ball into the net, extending Miami's lead to 2-0. The rapid-fire goals electrified the home crowd and showcased the team's attacking prowess.

Toronto FC's Response

Toronto FC, however, was not to be underestimated. In the 15th minute, Lorenzo Insigne converted a penalty awarded after a foul on Derrick Etienne Jr. Their hopes took a hit when Federico Bernardeschi was forced off due to an ankle problem in the 18th minute, with Prince Owusu taking his place. Despite the setback, Toronto continued to press forward.

Yet, Inter Miami maintained their dominance. In the 20th minute, Luis Suárez added a third goal for Miami with an impressive lob over Toronto's goalkeeper Sean Johnson, with Alba once again providing the crucial assist. The match seemed firmly in Miami's grasp, but drama unfolded as Héctor Martínez was sent off in the 28th minute, forcing Inter Miami to play with ten men.

A Tight Contest

Playing a man down, Miami faced an uphill battle. Toronto capitalized on their numerical advantage when Insigne scored another penalty in the 41st minute, bringing the score to 3-2 and keeping the match finely balanced.

The second half saw Miami restore some of their earlier control. Matías Rojas netted his second goal in the 59th minute, once more assisted by Alba, ensuring the Spanish defender set his record-breaking fourth assist of the night. This goal provided Miami a critical cushion, bringing the scoreline to 4-2.

Endgame Drama

But the drama was far from over. In a twist of fate, Prince Owusu scored an own goal in the 79th minute, narrowing the gap to 4-3. With time ticking away, Toronto pushed valiantly for an equalizer, but Miami's defense held firm, securing a hard-fought victory and advancement to the Round of 16.

Inter Miami's head coach, Gerardo Martino, hailed Alba's extraordinary performance, likening him to 'a number 10 who played left back.' Martino also praised the overall team performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Matías Rojas and Diego Gómez.

As Inter Miami prepares for their upcoming match against the winner of the Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City matchup, the team can draw confidence from their resilience and attacking flair. For now, they celebrate a well-earned victory and the remarkable feats of Jordi Alba, who has already cemented his place in the annals of Leagues Cup history.