Lionel Messi delivered one of the most spectacular individual performances of his MLS career Saturday night, scoring four goals and adding an assist as Inter Miami CF overwhelmed CF Montreal 7-1.
Messi scored three times in the second half to complete his first four-goal performance in MLS play, helping Miami score six unanswered goals after Montreal briefly pulled level. The victory extended Inter Miami’s winning streak against Montreal to five games.
Inter Miami took control early when Carlos Casemiro headed home a corner kick from Telasco Segovia in the 20th minute. It was Casemiro’s first league goal in his sixth appearance for Miami, while Segovia recorded his career-best ninth assist in his second MLS season.
Montreal responded in the 37th minute when Fabian Herbers scored his first goal of the campaign to make it 1-1. The tie did not last long.
Messi put Inter Miami back in front in the 40th minute, finding the net from a free kick for his 15th goal of the season. The reigning MLS Golden Boot winner and league MVP then struck again in the 52nd minute to give Miami a 3-1 advantage.
Messi completed his historic night with two more goals late in the match. He scored in the 83rd minute before finding the net again in the sixth minute of stoppage time, with his final goal also coming from a free kick.
Luis Suárez added to Montreal’s misery in the 80th minute, scoring his 11th goal of the season after receiving an assist from Messi. The assist was Messi’s 10th of the campaign.
Eighteen-year-old rookie Alexander Shaw capped the scoring in the 89th minute, recording his first MLS goal in just his third appearance. Shaw has played only 37 minutes this season.
The victory was especially significant for Inter Miami after a difficult August. Miami finished the month with a 1-2-2 record, but Saturday’s emphatic result provided a much-needed return to winning form.
Dayne St. Clair made three saves for Inter Miami, which improved to 12-4-6. Thomas Gillier stopped five shots for Montreal, which fell to 5-11-6.
Messi entered the night two goals behind FC Dallas forward Petar Musa in the MLS scoring race and finished the evening with four goals, moving into the spotlight in the Golden Boot chase.
The result also marked Miami’s first victory since defeating Montreal 1-0 on the road to close out July. Suárez scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 81st minute of that match.
With another dominant performance from Messi and an attack that produced seven goals, Inter Miami sent a clear message heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Montreal will return to action next Saturday when it visits the Philadelphia Union. Inter Miami will return home Saturday to host Atlanta United.
