A Night of Milestones
Inter Miami snapped a five-game winless stretch in all competitions with a dominant 7-1 triumph over CF Montreal, a result that reverberated through the MLS standings and the race for the Golden Boot.
At the heart of the onslaught was Lionel Messi, who recorded his first four-goal outing in MLS history. The Argentine forward opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 20th minute, added a spectacular free kick before halftime, doubled his tally in the 52nd minute, and sealed the match with a stoppage-time set piece that curled past Thomas Gillier.
Messi's brace in the second half, complemented by a third strike in the 83rd minute, lifted his season total to 18 goals, overtaking Petar Musa at the top of the scoring chart. The performance not only underscored his adaptability to the MLS but also signaled a shift in the league's offensive dynamics.
Supporting cast members contributed to the rout. Casemiro opened the scoring before Montreal equalized through Fabian Herbers, while Luis Suárez and rookie Alexander Shaw added late goals in the 80th and 89th minutes. Midfield stability was provided by Casemiro, and the defensive line held firm despite Montreal's early response.
The victory lifted Inter Miami to 12 wins, four losses and six draws for a total of 42 points, while Montreal fell to 5‑11‑6 and remain on 21 points. The result also marked the first competitive appearance of assistant coach Rafael Pérez, who stepped in after Guillermo Hoyos' suspension for league policy violations.
With Hoyos set to be replaced by Argentine tactician Kily González pending paperwork approval, Inter Miami looks to build on the momentum as the season progresses.