Lionel Messi's goal proved to be a mere consolation as Inter Miami's MLS winless streak stretched to four games following a 2-1 loss to Toronto FC.

Josh Sargent and Derrick Etienne both scored in the space of three minutes on either side of the hour mark, with Miami unable to mount a comeback.

Toronto thought they had taken an early lead after lovely link-up play between Richie Laryea and Etienne on the counter, but the defender had just drifted offside before turning it into the net.

Luis Suarez then sent a wild miss wide of the target after linking up with Rodrigo De Paul, while German Berterame also fired wide under pressure from Zane Monlouis.

Miami ended the first half on top and started the second brightly, with Berterame volleying past the post before Toronto stunned Nu Stadium against the run of play.

Ian Fray inadvertently presented possession to Daniel Salloi, who played in Sargent, who curled a lovely finish past Dayne St. Claire in the 59th minute.

Etienne had been a bright spark, and he got his goal 62 minutes in, latching onto a poor clearance by St. Clair before beating the goalkeeper at his near post.

Twenty minutes later, Messi halved the deficit to give Miami some hope; De Paul slid it through for the Herons captain, who drew Luka Gavran off his line to slot into the empty net, but the hosts could not find a second goal to snatch a point.

Toronto's quickfire hits pile pressure on Miami

Toronto, who had been on a winless streak between April 4 and August 1, have now gone unbeaten in their last four league matches, winning two of the last three (D1).

But this will arguably feel like their biggest result recently, given they had failed to win any of their last six MLS clashes with Miami (D2 L4) prior to this.

They did it despite accumulating just 0.51 expected goals (xG) from their seven shots, but they got three on target, the same as Miami. Guillermo Hoyos' side had 10 attempts overall worth 1.83 xG, but they could not make it count.

Messi netted his 71st MLS goal with Miami in what was his 80th such match, but he largely struggled to make an impact, having just two shots and creating one chance. 

It could prove a damaging loss to the Herons, who have now dropped 10 points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC, but Toronto certainly boosted their playoff hopes further down the table.