Messi shines as Inter Miami thrash Montreal in MLS

Lionel Messi scored two brilliant goals to lift Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over Montreal in Inter Miami’s return to Major League Soccer (MLS) action on Saturday, following their elimination from the Club World Cup.

Miami were playing their first MLS game in more than a month. They had advanced past the first phase of the Club World Cup but fell 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the round of 16 last week.

Messi made sure there was no lingering let-down for Javier Mascherano’s side, who are aiming to improve on their current sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 17 matches.

Messi was a key figure throughout, although it was his miscue that led to the first goal for Montreal.

His backpass fell right in front of Montreal’s Prince Owusu, who fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to make it 1-0 after two minutes.

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However, in the 33rd minute, Messi found Tadeo Allende outside the area, and Allende chipped a shot over Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirios.

In the 40th minute, Messi conjured his trademark magic, cutting in from the right corner of the box, eluding Fernando Alvarez and curling the ball in at the far post for a goal that gave Miami a 2-1 halftime lead.

Telasco Segovia made it 3-1 in the 60th minute with a blast from outside the area that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.

Messi bagged his second goal two minutes later, evading four defenders and finishing an outstanding solo run with a shot into the heart of the goal.

Messi now has seven goals in his last four MLS matches, bringing his total to 12 in 14 games.

Miami also face a hectic MLS stretch, with five more matches before the end of the month.

The Star