Diego Urtiaga shines as Inter Toronto extends unbeaten run with win over Pacific FC 1-0
Inter Toronto maintained its unbeaten start to the 2026 Canadian Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Pacific FC, thanks to a penalty save by Diego Urtiaga and a late goal from Sebastián Gonzales. The win improved Inter’s record to 3-2-0, showcasing the squad’s depth and strong defensive play.
Diego Urtiaga - Inter Toronto
Inter Toronto’s unbeaten start to the 2026 Canadian Premier League season survived another difficult road test Sunday afternoon thanks to a Diego Urtiaga standing on his head and a second-half breakthrough from Sebastián Gonzales.
The Ontario club left Starlight Stadium with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Pacific FC, improving to 3-2-0 on the season and continuing one of the strongest starts in the league through the opening weeks of the campaign.
While Gonzales delivered the winning goal late in the second half, much of the afternoon belonged to Urtiaga, whose penalty save and several key stops kept Inter Toronto alive during a tense and physical match on Vancouver Island.
Urtiaga changes the match early
The game quickly developed into an open contest despite the tight dimensions of Starlight Stadium, with both sides aggressively pushing forward from the opening whistle.
Inter Toronto looked dangerous early through Luca Accettola, who nearly found space inside the Pacific penalty area before a last-ditch defensive intervention denied the visitors an opening goal.
Pacific’s biggest opportunity arrived shortly afterward.
Ronan Kratt went down inside the box after contact from Max Ferrari, leading Pacific head coach James Merriman to request a Football Video Support review. The decision was overturned and the hosts were awarded a penalty.
That moment appeared capable of completely shifting the afternoon in Pacific’s favour.
Instead, Urtiaga produced one of the biggest saves of Inter Toronto’s young season.
The Mexican goalkeeper guessed correctly and dove low to stop Alejandro Díaz from the spot, handing the veteran striker his first missed penalty in CPL play after previously converting all nine of his attempts.
The save immediately changed the momentum of the match.
Inter Toronto settles after halftime
Inter Toronto regained control for stretches of the first half after the penalty stop, although frustration continued to build offensively.
Accettola came closest before halftime, rattling the post from distance, while Pacific continued forcing Urtiaga into action with dangerous transition attacks and shots from outside the area.
Neither side found a breakthrough before the interval, but Mauro Eustáquio used halftime to reshape his side tactically.
The Inter Toronto manager later explained that his team had become too direct during portions of the first half and needed to compact its lines to improve possession and movement through midfield.
The adjustments gradually shifted the game.
Toronto began controlling possession more effectively after the break while limiting Pacific’s opportunities to attack in transition. Julian Altobelli nearly opened the scoring early in the second half, but Pacific goalkeeper Eleias Himaras denied him from close range.
Ariel Almagro makes instant impact
The breakthrough finally arrived after Inter Toronto turned to its bench.
Eustáquio introduced Ariel Almagro for his club debut, and the Ecuadorian winger immediately changed the tempo of the match.
Less than 10 minutes after entering, Almagro collected possession on the left side and delivered a curling cross toward the back post where Sebastián Gonzales arrived for a composed first-time finish.
The Peruvian striker’s goal ultimately proved enough to secure all three points.
Pacific’s task became even more difficult minutes later when defender Juan Quintana was shown a red card for an elbow on Juan Córdova during his first appearance of the season.
With the numerical advantage, Inter Toronto controlled possession through the closing stages while limiting Pacific’s late push for an equalizer.
Inter Toronto climbing the table
The result temporarily moved Inter Toronto into second place in the CPL standings while continuing the club’s strong defensive form to open the season.
Just as importantly, the match showcased the growing depth inside Mauro Eustáquio’s squad, with Almagro delivering an immediate impact off the bench and Diego
Urtiaga once again proving decisive between the posts.
Pacific, meanwhile, remains searching for its first win of the 2026 campaign despite another competitive performance that created multiple dangerous moments.
Inter Toronto now heads into the next stretch of the season carrying both momentum and belief after extending its unbeaten run on the road in one of the league’s toughest environments.
