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Inter Miami have returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, with Lionel Messi scoring four goals in a 7-1 demolition of struggling CF Montréal in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
The victory ended Miami’s five-game winless run and provided a much-needed response after a difficult spell since the resumption of MLS action following the World Cup finals. The reigning MLS Cup champions had lost four of their previous five matches before facing Montréal, who remain second from bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Miami made a strong start at the Nu Stadium, taking the lead in the 20th minute through Brazil international Casemiro. The midfielder, who joined the club after the World Cup, rose to meet a cross and headed home his first goal for the champions.
Montréal levelled 17 minutes later when Fabian Herbers found the bottom corner with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors’ response, though, was short-lived.
Messi restored Miami’s advantage in the 40th minute with a low, curling free-kick that appeared to deceive Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier as it found the net.
The Argentina captain doubled his tally shortly after half-time, using his momentum and close control to move through a group of Montréal defenders before firing into the bottom corner.
Messi then turned provider for Miami’s fourth goal, delivering a superbly weighted pass to Luis Suárez. The former Barcelona forward raced through on goal before calmly finishing to put the result beyond doubt.
The 39-year-old Messi completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, controlling a pass from Rodrigo De Paul before delicately lifting the ball over the advancing Gillier.
Teenager Alex Shaw added Miami’s sixth in the 89th minute, striking a low effort from outside the area into the net.
Messi then capped the performance with his fourth goal deep into stoppage time, curling another trademark free-kick beyond the goalkeeper to complete a remarkable individual display.
The result moves Inter Miami into second place in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville, who had a game in hand later on Saturday.
