Hany Mukhtar Scores Twice as Nashville SC Defeat Toronto FC 2-0

4 hours ago

2 min read

By Ruben Santa Cruz

Hany Mukhtar scored twice in the first half as Nashville SC defeated Toronto FC 2-0, controlling the match from the opening minutes and holding off Toronto's second-half pressure.

Nashville SC earned a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC behind a first-half brace from Hany Mukhtar, who scored in the 16th and 43rd minutes to put Nashville firmly in control.

Mukhtar Opens the Scoring

Nashville started aggressively and created several chances early.

The hosts broke through in the 16th minute when Mukhtar finished from the center of the box after a combination involving Cristian Espinoza and Elias Saad, giving Nashville a 1-0 lead.

Toronto responded with opportunities of its own. Joe Willis saved efforts from Jonathan Osorio and Josh Sargent, keeping Nashville's advantage intact.

Mukhtar Doubles the Lead

Nashville continued to threaten and eventually doubled its advantage in the 43rd minute.

Mukhtar struck again from outside the box, finding the bottom-left corner with a low right-footed shot. Sam Surridge provided the assist, with Elias Saad earning the second assist.

Nashville entered halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.

Toronto Pushes After the Break

Toronto came out with more attacking intent in the second half, but Nashville's defense and goalkeeper Joe Willis kept the visitors off the scoreboard.

Toronto had several opportunities around the 52nd–59th minutes, including attempts from Theo Corbeanu, Matheus Pereira and Jonathan Osorio, but Nashville either blocked the shots or forced them away from goal.

Nashville then regained control and created a series of chances of its own.

Between the 64th and 69th minutes, Sam Surridge had multiple headers saved by Luka Gavran, while Reed Baker-Whiting also forced the Toronto goalkeeper into saves.

Toronto continued to search for a way back into the match, but Nashville managed the final stages effectively.

Nashville Holds on for the Shutout

The hosts continued generating chances late, with Matthew Corcoran forcing another save from Gavran in the 77th minute. Toronto could not find the breakthrough it needed.

Nashville protected its two-goal advantage through five minutes of stoppage time, securing a 2-0 victory.