Inter Miami delivered a devastating result for Montreal supporters, beating the home side 7-1 in a Major League Soccer match highlighted by a four-goal haul from Lionel Messi.
Messi dominates, Miami’s attack overwhelms Montreal
The Argentina captain put in a vintage performance, scoring twice from free kicks, adding a dinked finish to complete a hat-trick and grabbing a fourth in stoppage time. He also set up Luis Suárez for one of Miami’s other goals, while Casemiro and Alexander Shaw contributed to the rout.
Messi’s quartet of goals marked the first time he has scored four in a single MLS game and the ninth occasion in his career that he has netted four or more in one match. The goals took him to 18 MLS goals this season, moving him past FC Dallas forward Petar Musa to become the league’s leading scorer.
“There are no words to describe such footballing beauty,”
said Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos after the match, struggling to capture the Argentine’s display in plain terms. The coaching staff’s admiration, and the statistical milestone for Messi, will deepen the scrutiny on Montreal’s defending.
Damage to Montreal’s confidence and season
For Montreal, the scoreline is stark and damaging. Conceding seven goals — including multiple set-piece strikes — will raise immediate questions about organisation and personnel choices in defence and in goal. The club’s coaching staff and management will face pressure from supporters and analysts to explain how such a collapse occurred and outline plans to address it.
- Final score: Inter Miami 7 — Montreal 1
- Messi: 4 goals, 1 assist; now the MLS top scorer with 18 goals
- Other Miami scorers: Luis Suárez (assisted by Messi), Casemiro, Alexander Shaw
Montreal’s solitary goal could not paper over the defensive frailties exposed by Miami’s star-studded attack. The loss will also resonate in the Eastern Conference standings and in the club’s momentum, as teams often struggle to recover quickly from such emphatic defeats.
| Team | Goals | Notable contributors |
|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 7 | Lionel Messi (4, 1 assist), Luis Suárez, Casemiro, Alexander Shaw |
| Montreal | 1 | — |
Local reaction and what’s next
Supporters in Montreal will be left seeking explanations from the club’s leadership and coaching staff. A defeat of this magnitude tends to trigger tactical reassessments, possible changes in training focus, and in some cases personnel moves. How quickly Montreal responds on the field and in the locker room will be closely watched by fans and by media across Quebec.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s victory cements Messi’s influence on the competition; his individual brilliance has produced both immediate results and broader questions for opponents about how to limit his impact. Miami remain beneficiaries of their star player’s form and sit high in the Eastern Conference table as the season progresses.
For Montreal, the immediate task is to regroup. The club will need to shore up a backline that conceded repeatedly, restore confidence among players and supporters, and prepare for upcoming fixtures that will test its character after one of the more resounding defeats of the season.
