Lionel Messi Inspires Inter Miami To Impressive Away Victory Over CF Montréal

‎Lionel Messi scored two spectacular goals to lead Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over Montreal in Miami’s return to Major League Soccer on Saturday, following their exit from the Club World Cup.

Miami played its first MLS match in over a month, having advanced past the initial stage of the Club World Cup but suffering a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 last week.

‎Messi made sure there was no lingering let-down for Javier Mascherano’s side, who are aiming to improve on their current sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 17 matches.

‎”It is a great night, we took the three points that were very necessary to start thinking about the MLS again,” Mascherano said.

‎”It is never easy to reintegrate into the competition after the Club World Cup, and the players have done it perfectly.”

‎Messi was a key figure throughout, although it was his miscue that led to the first goal for Montreal.

‎His backpass fell right in front of Montreal’s Prince Owusu, who fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to make it 1-0 after two minutes.

‎Messi more than atoned

‎Captain and Royal Caribbean Icon of the Match Lionel Messi delivered an exceptional performance, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

‎He became only the third player in MLS history to record at least two goals and one assist in three consecutive league matches, the first since Thierry Henry achieved the feat in 2012.

‎Tadeo Allende and Telasco Segovia also contributed with goals for the team during the match at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

‎In the 33rd minute, Messi set up Tadeo Allende outside the penalty area, and Allende chipped a shot over Montreal’s goalkeeper to score.

‎In the 40th minute, Messi dribbled in from the right side of the box, slipped past Fernando Alvarez, and curled the ball into the net at the far post. This goal gave Miami a 2-1 lead at halftime.

‎Telasco Segovia We are in the 60th minute with a blast from outside the area that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.

‎Messi scored his second goal just two minutes later, breaking through four defenders and completing an impressive solo run with a shot into the center of the goal.

With this goal, Messi has now netted seven times in his last four MLS matches, bringing his total to 12 goals in 14 games.

‎”Leo is happy playing football,” Mascherano said.

‎”Every time he is fit, he is going to play. Clearly, we have an extra advantage when he plays and we want to use that advantage as much as possible.”

‎Miami now faces a hectic MLS stretch, with five more matches before the end of the month.