Lionel Messi (38) scored two brilliant goals to lift Inter Miami to a 4-1 win over Montreal in the return of Miami to Major League Soccer Action on Saturday after their elimination of the World Cup club.
Miami played their first MLS match in more than a month. They were advanced beyond the first phase of the club of the club, but fell 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 last week.
Messi ensured that there was no persistent disappointment in front of Javier Mascherano, who want to improve their current sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points of 17 games.
“It's a great evening, we took the three points that were very needed to think about the MLS again,” said Mascherano. “It is never easy to integrate into the competition after the club's World Cup, and the players have done it perfectly.”
Messi was a key figure everywhere, although it was his crime that led to the first goal for Montreal.
His backpass fell straight for Montreal's Prince Owusu, who fired a left shot along goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to bring it with 1-0 after two minutes.
Messi more than reconciled.
In the 33rd minute, Messi Tadeo Allende found outside the area and Allende shot a shot about Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirios.
In the 40th minute, Messi called on his trademark magic, cutting from the right corner of the box, escaped Fernando Alvarez and curled the ball on the distant pole for a goal that Miami gave a 2-1 lead.
Telasco Segovia made 3-1 in the 60th minute with an explosion from outside the area that hit the bar and bounced into the net.
Messi took his second goal two minutes later, avoiding four defenders and ended an excellent solo run with a shot in the heart of the goal.
Messi now has seven goals in his last four MLS matches and brings his total to 12 in 14 games.
“Leo is happy with football,” said Mascherano. “Every time he is fit, he will play. It is clear that we have an extra advantage when he plays and we want to use that benefit as much as possible.”
Miami is now confronted with a hectic MLS stretch, with five games before the end of the month.
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