Inter Miami give Montreal a trouncing

Inter Miami 7 – 1 CF Montreal

MIAMI, FL–The Herons ended their run of five games without a win by thumping CF Montreal with an impressive display of firepower. As always, it was their captain and inspiration Lionel Messi that made the difference, providing one assist and scoring four goals to elevate himself to the top of the MLS scoring charts.

But they didn’t have it all their own way against a Montreal side that were on a four game unbeaten run in the league and came into this game full of confidence. Miami needed a win and they started on the front foot as they passed the ball around and probed for an opening. And it was Messi that came closest in the early moments when his strike was tipped onto the post by Thomas Gillier and bounced to safety.

Montreal showed no fear and enjoyed some early possession but weren’t able to fashion any openings and it was Miami that made the breakthrough. A series of corners ended when Casemiro’s towering header beat Gillier to score his first goal for his new club. It was a strong start by the home side as they looked to improve their record in the Nu Stadium.

But they seemed to lose momentum after the goal, allowing the visitors to pass the ball around, and they started to create chances. And Miami paid the price soon enough when Fabian Herbers struck from the edge of the penalty area via a deflection, which wrong footed Dayne St. Clair.

No sooner had Montreal leveled the game they were behind again. A Messi free kick caused havoc in front of the Montreal goal and Gillier failed to deal with it, although he appeared distracted by his own defender. Both sides enjoyed plenty of the ball in the first half, but Miami were yet to really impress despite a deserved lead.

That changed early in the second half when Messi set the tone for things to come when he dribbled his way through the Montreal defence to extend the lead. The Miami captain was creating confusion around the box with defenders standing off him. Luis Suarez picked up the loose ball and fed Messi, who then danced his way past the defenders before beating Gillier. It was a great goal and well deserved after the home side came out full of intent to take control of the game.

They soon had St. Clair to thank when he saved a thumping header from Prince Owuso and the Miami keeper had more work to do as Montreal pushed higher up the pitch, using the fresh legs of the substitute bench to inject some energy into the side.

Alexis Sanchez was making his fourth appearance off the bench since his arrival in the MLS, but his inclusion changed nothing as his side were about to have a night to forget. They didn’t dominate the game, but they had the lion’s share of possession, and it eventually told late in the game with a flurry of goals.

Suarez latched onto a delightful pass by Messi and finished in style to extend the lead and leave the result in no doubt. They rarely looked like losing the game, and a devastating spell late on confirmed it.

Messi was next as he secured his hat-trick with a delicate chip over the keeper. Alexander Shaw then made it a memorable evening for the eighteen year old when he drove a long shot inside the post to pile on the agony for Montreal.

Whether it needed a cherry on top is up for debate, but it got one. Messi stepped up for a late free kick to further bamboozle Gillie for his fourth goal of the night. The scoreline was a little harsh on Montreal, who had spells where they played well, but Miami looked like a side that would accept nothing less than a win, and they were quite ruthless in front of goal.

Photos by Edwin Gomez