Lionel Messi scores for Inter Miami in 1-1 MLS tie with Toronto

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi scored for the third time in four Major League Soccer matches this season, helping Inter Miami get a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC on Sunday night.

It was Messi's 40th goal across all competitions since joining Inter Miami, extending his franchise record. The goal Sunday was a left-footed volley from the top of the 18-yard box about five minutes into first-half stoppage time.

The tie left Inter Miami (4-0-2) one point behind Columbus in the Eastern Conference, with one match in hand.

Messi's goal tied the match, three minutes after Federico Bernardeschi opened the scoring for Toronto (0-4-3). Messi had what appeared to be a goal wiped out earlier in the first half after it was determined he committed a foul shortly before that score.

Toronto had the lead for only the second time all season — the first was a 19-minute stretch against Chicago last month. This time, Messi took it away quickly.

Messi has had at least one point in all four MLS matches in which he has appeared this season for Inter Miami, which is 8-1-2 overall this season when adding in four victories in CONCACAF Champions Cup matches. The loss was a 1-0 decision against LAFC in a Champions Cup match last week; the second leg of that matchup is Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.

Toronto plays Saturday at home against Minnesota. Inter Miami resumes MLS play next Sunday at the Chicago Fire.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, right, blocks a scoring attempt on a corner kick under pressure from Inter Miami forward Allen Obando, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A scoring attempt by Inter Miami forward Allen Obando is blocked by Toronto FC defender Nicksoen Gomis (15) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A scoring attempt by Inter Miami forward Allen Obando is blocked by Toronto FC defender Nicksoen Gomis (15) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Toronto FC forward Federico Bernardeschi (10), center, scores his side's first goal against Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Toronto FC defender Raoul Petretta (28) heads a cross intended for Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, celebrates with teammate midfielder Federico Redondo (55) after scoring his side's first goal against Toronto FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring in stoppage time during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, moves the ball defended by Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball defended by Toronto FC defender Nicksoen Gomis (15) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scores his side's first goal during stoppage time in the first half of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed during a merengue concert, killing at least 218 people and injuring over 200 more. Politicians, athletes and a fashion designer were among those at Jet Set in Santo Domingo when disaster struck early Tuesday.

Officials have said it’s too early to determine why the roof fell. The government has moved to a recovery phase focused on finding bodies after dozens of people who lingered at hospitals and the forensics institute finally obtained information about their loved ones.

The roof collapsed nearly an hour after the merengue concert headed by Rubby Pérez began at Jet Set. The club was known for its Monday night merengue parties that drew international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.

A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling and people starting to move away seconds before the entire roof collapses onto them.

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted Dominican President Luis Abinader to the disaster, calling him from under the debris, according to first lady Raquel Abraje. Officials said Nelsy Cruz later died at a hospital.

Authorities say it’s too early to determine the cause of the disaster. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and created makeshift planks in an effort to reach survivors buried under the debris. More than 180 survivors were rescued from the rubble.

It’s unclear how often government officials inspect buildings in the Dominican Republic or when Jet Set was last inspected.

A Ministry of Public Works spokesperson referred The Associated Press to the mayor’s office for comment. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office could not be reached.

Jet Set's owners, who issued a statement saying they were cooperating with authorities, were also not reachable for comment.

Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said he had been rescued. But Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said his body was found early Wednesday.

The singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, said the group’s saxophonist also died.

The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital. Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, league spokesperson Satosky Terrero said.

Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.

It’s an iconic nightclub in southern Santo Domingo that has operated for nearly five decades. It was known for its “Jet Set Mondays” that featured local and international merengue artists.

The club and restaurant, which opened in 1973, was the most popular venue of its kind in the Dominican Republic, according to the newspaper Listín Diario.

It later relocated and celebrated its first anniversary at the new location with merengue and salsa icon Johnny Ventura.

The club underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, and it was struck by lightning in 2023, according to the newspaper.

General admission tickets for Monday’s concert with Rubby Pérez were $32, while the VIP ones were $40, according to the club’s website.

The government announced late Wednesday that it was moving into a recovery phase after rescue crews searched for survivors for more than 24 hours following the collapse.

An in-depth investigation into the collapse is expected. Authorities have not released any preliminary findings or commented on what might have caused the roof to fall.

Relatives waited at the nation's forensics institute as it worked to identify victims, while others went from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones, some clutching photographs.

Many of those injured were in critical or serious condition with broken bones.

Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025.(Noticias SIN via AP)

People gather outside the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

Rescue workers use sheets as they recover bodies from the rubble at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed two nights prior during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

People cry during the search for survivors amid the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed two nights prior during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

Soldiers arrive to the area where rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed two nights prior during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

People searching for their missing relatives peruse a list of names outside the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

Relatives of missing people embrace while waiting at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology after the roof collapsed at Jet Set nightclub during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)

Rescue workers carry a person pulled from the wreckage of the nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)

Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)