Messi Strike Gives Inter Miami 1-0 Lead Over CF Montréal.

Messi Strike Gives Inter Miami 1-0 Lead Over CF Montréal.

            Inter Miami CF 4-2 CF Montréal: Messi and Suárez Shine as Herons Snap Winless Streak.
Introduction

                    On May 28, 2025, Inter Miami CF delivered a commanding 4-2 victory over CF Montréal at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ending a four-match winless streak in the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.

The match, attended by a vibrant crowd of over 20,000 fans, saw Lionel Messi score twice, including a crucial goal in the 27th minute that gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead, and provide an assist, while Luis Suárez also netted a brace to secure a much-needed win for Javier Mascherano’s side. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the match, highlighting Messi’s opening goal, key moments, player performances, managerial reactions, and the broader context of Inter Miami’s season, including their preparations for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

Match Overview

Inter Miami entered the match under pressure, having dropped points in five of their last six MLS games, their longest winless streak since 2023. With new head coach Javier Mascherano at the helm, following Gerardo "Tata" Martino’s departure, the Herons were desperate to turn their form around, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup looming in June 2025. CF Montréal, languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only one win in 15 matches, presented an opportunity for Inter Miami to regain confidence. The match, broadcast live on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, showcased the star power of Messi and Suárez, who combined for four goals and two assists to secure a vital victory.

Lineups

Inter Miami CF Starting XI: Oscar Ustari (GK); Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo; Benjamin Cremaschi, Lionel Messi (C), Luis Suárez.

CF Montréal Starting XI: Jonathan Sirois (GK); Fernando Álvarez, Joel Waterman, Amani Aguinaldo; Tom Pearce, Nathan Saliba, Samuel Piette, Gabriele Corbo; Giacomo Vrioni, Prince Owusu, Dante Sealy.

Inter Miami fielded a strong lineup, with captain Lionel Messi leading the attack alongside Luis Suárez, supported by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. CF Montréal relied on Prince Owusu, their top scorer with four goals, to spark their offense, but their defensive frailties were evident throughout the match.

First Half: Messi’s Magic Sets the Tone

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET under clear skies at Chase Stadium, with Inter Miami asserting early control. The Herons dominated possession, holding 62% of the ball in the first half, and looked to exploit Montréal’s shaky defense through quick passing and movement. In the 18th minute, Luis Suárez had an early chance from a free kick, but his right-footed shot sailed high and wide. Two minutes later, Messi attempted a header from a Suárez cross but failed to connect cleanly, a rare miss for the Argentine maestro.

The breakthrough came in the 27th minute, courtesy of Lionel Messi’s brilliance. Sergio Busquets, playing a deep-lying playmaker role, delivered a precise pass to Messi just outside the penalty area. The 37-year-old captain, showcasing his trademark composure, took a touch and unleashed a left-footed strike from 20 yards that curled past Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois into the top corner. The Chase Stadium crowd erupted as Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead, with Messi’s 98th career goal from outside the box underscoring his enduring quality. The goal, assisted by Busquets’ clever movement to free up space, was a testament to their longstanding chemistry from their Barcelona days.

Inter Miami continued to press, with Messi and Suárez combining to create several probing moves. In the 33rd minute, Tadeo Allende, a recent signing, missed a golden opportunity set up by Messi, firing wide from close range. Busquets was booked in the 35th minute for a foul on Nathan Saliba, but Montréal struggled to capitalize on set pieces, with a free kick in the 40th minute hitting the defensive wall. The half ended with Inter Miami leading 1-0, thanks to Messi’s moment of magic, though injuries to defenders Jordi Alba, Tomás Avilés, and Gonzalo Lujan raised concerns for Mascherano. Five minutes of stoppage time saw no further chances, and the Herons went into the break with a deserved lead.

Second Half: Suárez and Messi Seal the Win

The second half began with substitutions for both sides. Inter Miami replaced Avilés with Maximiliano Falcón, while Montréal brought on Samuel Piette and Caden Clark for Tom Pearce and Giacomo Vrioni. Despite the changes, Inter Miami maintained their dominance, with Messi dictating play from a central role. In the 55th minute, Caden Clark nearly equalized for Montréal, breaking through on goal, but Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made a crucial save, and the offside flag was raised.

Inter Miami doubled their lead in the 68th minute through a sublime combination between Messi and Suárez. Messi, receiving the ball in the penalty area, twisted past two defenders with his trademark dribbling before laying off a pinpoint cross to Suárez. The Uruguayan striker, positioned perfectly, slotted the ball into the net with his right foot, making it 2-0. Just two minutes later, Suárez struck again, capitalizing on a defensive error by Montréal’s Joel Waterman. The veteran forward intercepted a loose pass and fired a low shot past Sirois, completing his brace and putting Inter Miami 3-0 up.

Montréal responded in the 74th minute, with Dante Sealy pulling one back after a neat one-two with Prince Owusu. The goal, which beat Ustari at his near post, ended Inter Miami’s hopes of a clean sheet and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope. A drinks break in the 77th minute allowed both teams to regroup, but Inter Miami remained in control. With 10 minutes remaining, Montréal pushed for another goal, but their efforts were thwarted by Inter Miami’s resolute defending.

The match was sealed in the 87th minute when Suárez returned the favor to Messi. The Uruguayan played a through ball to Messi, who chipped the ball over the onrushing Sirois with a delicate touch, restoring Inter Miami’s three-goal cushion at 4-1. The goal, Messi’s second of the night, showcased his composure and vision, earning him a 9.7 match rating and further cementing his status as the MLS’s standout performer.

In stoppage time, Montréal’s Victor Loturi scored his first goal for the club from a corner, reducing the deficit to 4-2. However, it was too little, too late, as Inter Miami saw out the game to secure a crucial victory, moving up to sixth in the Eastern Conference with 26 points.

Key Moments

18th minute: Luis Suárez’s shot from a free kick goes high and wide.

20th minute: Messi misses a header from a Suárez cross.

27th minute: Lionel Messi scores a stunning left-footed goal from outside the box to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

68th minute: Messi assists Suárez for Inter Miami’s second goal.

71st minute: Suárez scores his second goal, making it 3-0.

74th minute: Dante Sealy scores for Montréal, reducing the deficit to 3-1.

87th minute: Messi scores his second goal, assisted by Suárez, to make it 4-1.

90+2nd minute: Victor Loturi scores for Montréal, final score 4-2.

Player Performances
Inter Miami CF

Lionel Messi (9.5/10): The captain was the standout performer, scoring twice (27th and 87th minutes) and assisting Suárez’s first goal. His 82% pass accuracy, four successful dribbles, and three chances created earned him Player of the Match honors.

Luis Suárez (8.5/10): The Uruguayan veteran ended his goal drought with a brace (68th and 71st minutes) and assisted Messi’s second goal. His work rate and clinical finishing were pivotal.

Sergio Busquets (7.5/10): Set up Messi’s opening goal with a clever pass and controlled the midfield, despite a booking.

Oscar Ustari (6.5/10): Made a key save to deny Caden Clark but was beaten at his near post by Sealy’s goal.

Tadeo Allende (6/10): Missed a clear chance in the first half but showed promise with his movement.

Jordi Alba (6/10): Left the game early due to a leg injury, limiting his impact.

CF Montréal

Dante Sealy (7/10): Scored Montréal’s first goal and was a constant threat on the wing.

Jonathan Sirois (6/10): Conceded four goals but made several saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Prince Owusu (6.5/10): Assisted Sealy’s goal and led Montréal’s attack but lacked support.

Victor Loturi (6.5/10): Scored a late consolation goal, his first for the club.

Javier Mascherano’s Reaction

Post-match, Javier Mascherano expressed relief at the victory, which ended Inter Miami’s four-match winless streak. “We talked about yesterday in the press conference that we needed to change the negative dynamic,” he said. “I had very good feelings about the players in that second half against Philadelphia [a 3-3 draw], not only because of the result, but also because you always have to compare who you are against a rival who is fighting, who was in the lead position of our conference.

So, now I’m happy for the victory.” Mascherano praised Messi and Suárez, noting, “As for Luis, I am very happy for him. He has so many goals in his career. Sometimes he doesn’t have the chance to play a few games without scoring. But there’s another part of Luis, the effort, the desire, and never tries to put his arms down.” He also acknowledged the injury concerns, with Alba, Avilés, and Lujan all leaving the game early, posing challenges for the upcoming match against Columbus Crew.

Tactical Analysis

Inter Miami’s 4-3-3 formation allowed Messi to roam centrally, linking play and creating chances, while Suárez’s movement stretched Montréal’s defense. Busquets anchored the midfield, providing stability, though the early injuries to Alba, Avilés, and Lujan disrupted the backline. Montréal’s 3-4-3 setup aimed to counterattack, with Sealy and Owusu exploiting gaps, but their defensive lapses were ruthlessly punished by Inter Miami’s attacking duo. The Herons’ high pressing and quick transitions overwhelmed Montréal, who struggled to maintain possession, finishing with just 38% of the ball.

Fan and Media Reaction

The Chase Stadium crowd was electric, particularly after Messi’s opening goal, with posts on X describing it as “Messi magic” and praising his 9.7 match rating. However, some fans expressed concern over the injuries to key defenders, with one post noting, “Inter Miami’s backline is falling apart before the Club World Cup.” Media outlets, including ESPN and USA Today, highlighted Messi and Suárez’s contributions, with the latter calling it “a return to form for two of the greatest goal scorers in the sport’s history.” Montréal fans, while disappointed, celebrated Sealy and Loturi’s goals as signs of potential for their struggling side.

Transfer and Context

The victory comes at a critical juncture for Inter Miami, who are preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Al Ahly on June 14, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium. The MLS has granted Inter Miami a special transfer window from June 1 to June 10 to bolster their squad, with reports suggesting interest in a new center-back to address their injury crisis. Luis Suárez, whose contract expires in December 2025, has expressed a desire to extend his stay, and his performance against Montréal strengthens his case. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Messi’s future, with his contract also set to expire at the end of the season, though his form suggests he remains integral to Inter Miami’s ambitions.

Inter Miami’s 2025 season has been challenging, with a 6-3-5 record leaving them sixth in the Eastern Conference. The departure of sporting director Chris Henderson and the transition to Mascherano’s leadership have added to the pressure, but this win provides a foundation to build on. CF Montréal, with a 1-9-5 record, face an uphill battle to salvage their season, with manager Laurent Courtois under scrutiny.

Looking Ahead

Inter Miami face the Columbus Crew on May 31, 2025, at Chase Stadium, their final match before the Club World Cup. The injuries to Alba, Avilés, and Lujan will test Mascherano’s squad depth, but the return to form of Messi and Suárez offers hope. For Montréal, the focus shifts to rebuilding confidence, with their next match against Atlanta United on June 28, 2025. The victory over Montréal not only boosts Inter Miami’s morale but also serves as a reminder of their potential when their star players are firing on all cylinders.

Inter Miami’s 4-2 victory over CF Montréal was a statement of intent, driven by the brilliance of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Messi’s 27th-minute goal, a stunning strike from outside the box, set the tone for a dominant performance that saw the Herons overcome their recent struggles. Suárez’s brace and assist, combined with Messi’s second goal, ensured a vital three points, lifting Inter Miami to sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Despite injury concerns, the win provides a much-needed boost as Mascherano’s side prepares for the FIFA Club World Cup and the remainder of the MLS season. For CF Montréal, the defeat underscores their challenges, but goals from Sealy and Loturi offer glimmers of hope. As Inter Miami looks to build on this performance, the Chase Stadium faithful will hope for more moments of Messi magic in the months ahead.

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