4 goals and an assist: How Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to dominant 7-1 MLS win over Montreal

Lionel Messi produced a sensational performance as Inter Miami demolished CF Montreal 7-1 on Saturday, scoring four goals and setting up another in a dominant MLS victory. It was Messi’s first four-goal game in MLS as Miami scored six unanswered goals after Montreal briefly tied the game.Carlos Casimiro gave Miami an early lead in the 20th minute with a header from a Telasco Segovia corner. Montreal responded 17 minutes later through Fabian Herbers to make it 1-1.Messi restored Miami’s advantage in the 40th minute with his 15th goal of the season, finding the net from a free kick. He struck again in the 52nd minute to give Inter Miami a 3-1 lead.The Argentine then completed his remarkable four-goal run with goals in the 83rd minute and in the sixth minute of stoppage time. His last goal was also a free kick. Messi entered the game two goals behind FC Dallas forward Petar Musa in the MLS scoring race.

Miami to finish with a bang

Luis Suárez added Miami’s fourth goal in the 80th minute after receiving an assist from Messi, who recorded his 10th assist of the season. Eighteen-year-old Alexander Shaw scored his first goal in MLS in the 89th minute.Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made three saves as Miami improved to 12-4-6. The win was their fifth in a row against Montreal and their first since beating the Canadian side 1-0 away in late July.Montreal goaltender Thomas Gillier made five saves, but his team couldn’t prevent a tough loss as Miami rallied in the second half.