Lionel Messi scores 4 goals as Inter Miami net 7 in record win - ESPN Lionel Messi scored four goals to lead Inter Miami to a 7-1 victory over CF Montréal on Saturday, marking the club’s highest-scoring game in its history and ending a five-game winless streak across all competitions. The win, which came in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, snapped a difficult stretch for the team, which had struggled to secure victories since July 25. Messi’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a deflected free kick, then added a second goal in the 52nd minute after a breathtaking solo run through the Montréal defense. The Argentina legend continued his dominance with an assist to Luis Suárez before completing his hat trick with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper in the 87th minute. In stoppage time, Messi delivered a pinpoint free kick into the side of the net, sealing the result. The 39-year-old forward’s display was a career milestone, as it marked his eighth four-goal game in his legendary career and the first since joining Inter Miami. His last such performance came in February 2020 for Barcelona against Eibar. Messi also set a new MLS record by becoming the fastest player to reach 20 multigoal games in the regular season, achieving the feat in just 72 appearances. Messi’s efforts were complemented by contributions from teammates. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who had recently joined the team, opened the scoring with his first goal for Inter Miami in the 12th minute. The 18-year-old Alexander Shaw added a late goal in the 89th minute, further extending the lead. Inter Miami’s victory placed them second in the Eastern Conference standings, 10 points behind Nashville SC.#lionel_messi #inter_miami #casemiro #guillermo_hoyos #cf_montral
CF Montréal Braces for Messi-Less Inter Miami CF Montréal faces a pivotal matchup against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, with the absence of Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul potentially altering the dynamics of the game. The 39-year-old Messi, who has drawn massive crowds to Stade Saputo in previous visits, is taking a break following Inter Miami’s World Cup final appearance. His absence leaves a significant void on and off the field, though Montreal interim head coach Philippe Eullaffroy expressed optimism about the opportunity. Eullaffroy acknowledged the challenge of facing a team without its star player but emphasized the importance of preparation. “Well, if the best player in the world is not playing against you, I think it’s a good thing,” he said. However, he also noted the difficulty of assessing Inter Miami’s new identity under coach Guillermo Hoyos, who has recently signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. “We don’t really know what type of team we’re going to have in front of us,” Eullaffroy admitted. Despite the uncertainty, he highlighted Inter Miami’s resilience, citing their recent 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire FC without Messi or De Paul. The matchup comes at a critical juncture for Montreal, which is navigating a demanding schedule after a three-week World Cup break. The club returned to action with a two-legged Canadian Championship tie and a rivalry match against Toronto FC, followed by three consecutive games against Eastern Conference powerhouses. Montreal’s thin squad, already struggling with injuries and departures, faces additional pressure from a lack of offensive firepower. A 1-0 loss to Nashville SC on Wednesday has left the team with minimal time to recover, forcing Eullaffroy to balance preparation with limited resources.#inter_miami_cf #guillermo_hoyos #cf_montral #philippe_eullaffroy #stade_saputo
