Lionel Messi found the net, but even the Argentina star could not spare Inter Miami another dent in their points tally. His side went down 2-1 away to Toronto FC in the early hours of Sunday in Major League Soccer.
Toronto struck twice in three second-half minutes. Josh Sargent opened the scoring before Derrick Etienne Jr doubled the lead, leaving both the hosts and Inter Miami in a very different position.
Miami went hunting for a way back. Messi pulled one goal back eight minutes from time, latching onto a through ball from compatriot Rodrigo De Paul and firing it first time into the net.
The Americans pressed hard in the closing minutes but never found an equaliser. Toronto held on for a 2-1 win.
Messi's strike took him to 14 goals this season and marked his second in a row, after scoring against Philadelphia Union in the 2-2 draw last time out.
Even so, it wasn't enough to save Inter Miami from a fourth defeat in their last five matches, with results sliding sharply in recent weeks.
The warning signs had been mounting. Inter Miami crashed out of the Leagues Cup in the first round after two defeats, then lost 4-1 to Nashville SC before their midweek draw with Philadelphia.
This latest loss stretches their MLS winless run to nearly a month, though they cling to second place in the Eastern Conference.
The reigning MLS champions must find their feet fast to keep hold of a top-four spot and earn home advantage in the first round of the play-offs.
Toronto, meanwhile, moved up to five wins in 21 league matches this season. A fourth game unbeaten keeps their own play-off hopes flickering.