Omanghana
Lionel Messi produced a four-goal masterclass and added an assist as Inter Miami CF demolished CF Montréal 7-1 in Major League Soccer action on Saturday.
The commanding victory at Nu Stadium ended Miami’s five-game winless run across all competitions and established a club record for goals scored in a single match.
Casemiro, Luis Suárez and 18-year-old academy product Alexander Shaw also scored as the hosts recovered from a brief Montréal equalizer to dominate the contest.
Casemiro Opens Scoring for Miami
Inter Miami began aggressively, with Messi and Casemiro both threatening before the opening goal arrived in the 20th minute.
Telasco Segovia delivered a corner from the left, allowing Casemiro to rise in the middle of the penalty area and power a header into the net.
It was the Brazilian midfielder’s first goal for Inter Miami following his arrival at the club.
CF Montréal responded in the 37th minute when Fabian Herbers found space and sent a low finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
The visitors’ celebrations lasted only three minutes.
Messi Restores Lead With Free Kick
Messi restored Miami’s advantage in the 40th minute with a curling free kick from the right side.
The shot took a deflection on its way into the net, leaving Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier unable to prevent the hosts from taking a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Messi struck again seven minutes after the restart.
The Argentine captain collected the ball and drove through the Montréal defence, evading three opponents before directing a composed finish into the bottom corner in the 52nd minute.
The goal gave Miami a 3-1 advantage and placed the match firmly under the home side’s control.
Messi Sets Up Suárez
Luis Suárez extended the lead in the 80th minute after Messi opened Montréal’s defence with a precise through ball.
The Uruguayan striker moved into the penalty area and converted the opportunity to score his 11th MLS goal of the season.
Three minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick with a delicate chip over Gillier, making it 5-1.
It was another display of close control and composure from the 39-year-old forward, who repeatedly found space behind Montréal’s defence.
Alexander Shaw Scores First MLS Goal
Inter Miami academy product Alexander Shaw joined the scoring in the 89th minute.
The 18-year-old substitute fired home from distance to register his first goal for Miami’s senior team and his first in MLS.
Shaw reached the milestone in only his third first-team appearance, adding another memorable moment to a historic night for the club.
Messi completed the rout in the sixth minute of stoppage time, striking a powerful long-range free kick into the net with the final action of the match.
His fourth goal confirmed the 7-1 scoreline and completed his first four-goal performance in MLS.
Messi Moves Into Golden Boot Lead
Messi’s four goals lifted him to 18 for the MLS season, moving him ahead in the Golden Boot race. His assist for Suárez was his 10th of the campaign.
He became the 19th player in MLS history to score four goals in a match and the fastest to record 20 multi-goal league appearances, reaching the mark in 72 games.
The result improved Inter Miami’s record to 12 wins, four defeats and six draws, taking the club to 42 points.
Miami will next host Atlanta United as the team prepares for a managerial transition, with Cristian “Kily” González expected to assume control after completing the necessary administrative requirements.
Goal Summary
- 20′ — Casemiro, Inter Miami
- 37′ — Fabian Herbers, CF Montréal
- 40′ — Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
- 52′ — Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
- 80′ — Luis Suárez, Inter Miami
- 83′ — Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
- 89′ — Alexander Shaw, Inter Miami
- 90+6′ — Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
The match details were confirmed by Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer.
Source: Omanghana
