Inter Miami end their poor run with a win at home

Inter Miami 4 – 2 CF Montreal

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Inter Miami secured their seventh win of the season to end a barren run that included four league games without success as they move up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

With a front-line featuring Lionel Messi and Lois Suarez you would expect to see some goalmouth action, and they both delivered with a brace and an assist apiece.

It was a much-needed result for the team and for coach Javier Mascherano, but it came at a price, with both Jordi Alba and Lujan both having to leave the action early after suffering injuries.

The game was played at walking pace for much of the first half, with neither side making much in the way of goal-scoring opportunities, until Sergio Busquets forced his way through.

The veteran midfielder did well to keep the ball from Nathan Saliba before combining with Messi. The Herons’ captain unleashed a long-range effort that curled around the outstretched hand of Jonathan Sirois and inside the far post to open the scoring.

It was a moment of brilliance in a first half that was otherwise devoid of much excitement or entertainment. Miami enjoyed a lot of possession, but that was largely as a result of Montreal simply giving the ball away cheaply.

The second half continued the same way as Miami failed to really impose themselves in front of their home fans. Indeed, it was Montreal that had the better of the chances, and Miami had Oscar Ustari to thank when the keeper made a double save to keep the scoreline as it was.

But that was all about to change as we saw three goals in six minutes as the game found its fireworks and gave the fans something to get excited about.

Messi jinked and weaved his way into the Montreal defence, keeping the ball and his composure he crossed to find Suarez in the box. The striker took a touch before firing the ball past Sirois to get his first goal in a month and extend the lead.

Moments later and he was at it again. A poor touch from George Campbell in his own penalty area created a loose ball, and Suarez poached, like all great strikers do, to end Montreal’s chances.

It was a typical striker’s goal, and after his recent dry spell, this will have been a welcomed reward for his efforts.

It was starting to look and feel more like the Miami of old, as they started to dominate the game and extend their lead, but they continue to leak goals, and Montreal got one back just minutes later.

A neat piece of play found Dante Sealy inside the box, and he calmly passed the ball into the net past Ustari to give the away side some hope.

Those hopes were dashed when Suarez turned provider. He played a delightful one-two with Messi before the Argentine’s sumptuous chip over Sirois to score his second and put the icing on the cake for his side.

Game management is becoming an issue for Miami, and they were opened up again in the dying minutes when they failed to defend a corner.

Leading by three goals as you enter added time should have seen the Herons control the ball and possession to the end, and see the game out quietly.

Instead, they lost the ball in the middle of the park, conceded a corner, and Montreal made the most of it as Victor Loturi snuck in to head past Ustari.

It was a small blemish on an otherwise good night for Miami, and made no difference to the game’s outcome, but it’s a habit the Miami team needs to break as they still search for their best back line formation.

Mascherano will be happy to get the win as they now look forward to the next game against the Columbus Crew.

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