Lionel Messi hits four as Inter Miami end winless run with seven-goal rout

Inter Miami returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as Lionel Messi scored a superb four goals in a 7-1 victory over Montreal on matchday 22 of the MLS regular season.

The result moved Inter Miami up to 42 points, leaving them second in the Eastern Conference. It was their first victory after a run of five matches without a win and also marked the first game in charge for new head coach Christian Gonzalez.

Messi’s four-goal performance extended his scoring run to three consecutive matches and was the decisive factor in a dominant display from the home side.

Inter Miami took the lead after 20 minutes when Casemiro headed in from a corner delivered by Telasco Segovia. Montreal responded in the 37th minute, with Fabian Herbers producing a low strike from outside the penalty area to level the match.

The visitors’ equaliser lasted only three minutes. Messi restored Inter Miami’s advantage with a free-kick that took a deflection off a defender before finding the net.

Inter Miami carried their momentum into the second half and extended their lead seven minutes after the restart. Messi completed a fine individual move before finishing with his right foot to make it 3-1.

The Argentina international then turned provider for the fourth goal. In the 80th minute, Messi played Luis Suarez through on goal, allowing the striker to run clear and calmly place the ball into the net.

Messi added another three minutes later after a defensive error gifted him a clear path towards goal. He completed the move by lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to put Inter Miami 5-1 ahead.

Alexander Shaw then made it six in the 89th minute with a powerful effort from outside the box, adding to Montreal’s difficult evening.

There was still time for Messi to complete his super hat-trick. In the sixth minute of added time, he found the net directly from a superb free-kick to finish the scoring at 7-1.

The result gives Inter Miami renewed momentum after their recent five-match winless sequence, while Messi’s four-goal display underlined his continuing influence in the team’s push near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Inter Miami’s next match will be against Atlanta United on Sunday, 6 September.