Lionel Messi’s hat-trick powers Inter Miami to a 7-1 win

Inter Miami defeated CF Montreal 7-1 at Nu Stadium on Saturday, August 29, completing a commanding Major League Soccer Regular Season - 22 victory. Miami led 2-1 at half-time before scoring five times after the interval, turning a competitive opening period into a one-sided finish.

Early contest gives way to Miami surge

Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Casemiro converted an opportunity assisted by T. Segovia. CF Montreal responded through F. Herbers in the 37th minute, with N. Streit providing the assist, but the visitors’ parity lasted only three minutes. L. Petrasso scored an own goal in the 40th minute, restoring Miami’s lead before the break.

The decisive second-half moment arrived in the 52nd minute. Lionel Messi found the net to make it 3-1, and the advantage continued to grow late in the match. Luis Suarez scored in the 80th minute from a Messi assist, Messi added another in the 83rd minute after a pass from R. de Paul, and A. Shaw made it 6-1 in the 89th minute. Messi completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute.

Statistics underline Miami control

Miami had the stronger overall performance, holding 57% possession and completing 519 of 573 passes, compared with Montreal’s 43% possession and 379 accurate passes from 428 attempts. The home side also led total shots 20-10 and shots on target 11-5, while producing 13 shots inside the box to Montreal’s eight.

The scoreline was more emphatic than the expected-goals figures suggested: Miami recorded 2.87 expected goals and Montreal 0.86. The seven-goal result therefore reflected exceptionally effective finishing as well as territorial control. Both teams won six corners, while the foul count was close at 10 for Miami and 11 for Montreal.

Messi leads the ratings

Messi was the standout performer, receiving a perfect 10.0 rating after playing 96 minutes. His three goals and one assist directly shaped four of Miami’s seven goals, while his five shots on target and five key passes further reflected his influence. Casemiro also made a major contribution with a goal and a rating of 8.9, while Suarez scored once.

Table impact and discipline

The win keeps Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points from 21 games, moving their record to 12 wins, six draws and four losses with a goal difference of 15. CF Montreal remain 14th on 21 points from 21 matches, with five wins, six draws and 10 losses and a goal difference of -16. Montreal entered the match after consecutive losses and now have another defeat, while Miami responded to a loss in their pre-match sequence.

I. Fray received Miami’s only yellow card in the 11th minute. Montreal’s F. Herbers was booked in the 35th minute and N. Streit in the 39th, all before the interval. Coaches Kily Gonzalez and Philippe Eullaffroy both used 4-3-3 formations.