Messi Magic: Inter Miami Crush Montréal 7–1 in Historic MLS Win
Messi Turns Back the Clock in Miami
Lionel Messi produced one of his most spectacular MLS performances yet as Inter Miami defeated CF Montréal 7–1 on Saturday, August 29.
The Argentine superstar scored four goals and provided an assist, helping Miami end a five-game winless run and produce the biggest victory in club history.
For Montréal, a match that began competitively quickly turned into a nightmare.
For Miami, it became the Messi show.
A Competitive First Half Quickly Changed
Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 20th minute, with Casemiro heading in his first goal for the club from a Telasco Segovia corner.
Montréal responded through Fabian Herbers in the 37th minute to make it 1–1.
Then Messi took over.
Three minutes later, he restored Miami's lead with a free kick, sending the ball past goalkeeper Thomas Gillier.
Miami entered halftime with a 2–1 advantage.
What followed was a completely different game.
Messi Takes Over
Messi doubled his tally in the 52nd minute, producing a solo run before finishing from inside the box.
Then came the assist.
In the 80th minute, Messi threaded a precise pass through to Luis Suárez, who finished the counterattack to make it 4–1.
Three minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick.
He wasn't finished.
Deep into stoppage time, Messi scored his fourth goal with another free kick, completing a remarkable individual performance.
The Final Score
| Team | Goals |
|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 7 |
| CF Montréal | 1 |
Inter Miami scorers:
- Casemiro
- Lionel Messi ×4
- Luis Suárez
- Alexander Shaw
Montréal scorer:
Fabian Herbers
Academy product Alexander Shaw also scored his first goal for Miami's first team and his first MLS goal.
Another Messi Record
The performance was historic for several reasons.
This was Messi's first four-goal game in MLS and the ninth time in his professional career that he has scored at least four goals in a single match.
His four-goal explosion also pushed him to 18 MLS goals for the season, moving him to the top of the Golden Boot standings.
At 39, Messi continues to produce numbers that would be remarkable for a player in his prime.
Inter Miami's Biggest Win
The 7–1 result wasn't just another three points.
It was the largest margin of victory in Inter Miami's history and the first time the club had scored seven goals in a match.
It also ended Miami's five-game winless streak, giving the club a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the MLS regular season.
Why the Result Matters
The most encouraging part for Miami wasn't simply Messi's four goals.
The team received contributions across the attack.
Casemiro opened the scoring.
Suárez found the net.
Shaw provided a memorable moment for the academy.
And Messi combined scoring with playmaking.
That balance is important for a team hoping to make a deep postseason run.
Messi can still produce extraordinary individual moments, but Miami becomes much more dangerous when opponents cannot focus exclusively on him.
Montréal's Collapse
Montréal had managed to equalize and entered the match with a four-game unbeaten run in league play.
That momentum disappeared after Messi's second goal.
Once Miami moved ahead, Montréal struggled to contain the hosts' attacking movement and eventually conceded five more goals.
The defeat dropped Montréal to 5-11-6, while Miami improved to 12-4-6 with 42 points.
What Comes Next for Inter Miami?
The biggest question now is whether this performance represents a turning point.
One spectacular victory doesn't erase the problems behind a five-game winless stretch.
But scoring seven goals, seeing Messi reach the top of the Golden Boot race and getting contributions from multiple players gives Miami plenty of momentum.
The club's next MLS match is against Atlanta United on September 5.
Final Takeaway
Inter Miami needed a response.
They got one in spectacular fashion.
Seven goals. Four from Messi. One assist. A club-record victory.
The 7–1 demolition of Montréal was more than a routine MLS win—it was another reminder that even at 39, Lionel Messi can completely change a game in a matter of minutes.
Miami now has the result it needed.
The challenge is turning one extraordinary night into sustained form.
Messi has delivered the statement. Now Inter Miami has to build on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score between Inter Miami and Montréal?
Inter Miami defeated CF Montréal 7–1 on August 29, 2026.
How many goals did Messi score?
Messi scored four goals and provided one assist. It was his first four-goal performance in MLS.
Did Messi lead the MLS Golden Boot race?
Yes. His four goals took his 2026 MLS tally to 18, moving him into first place in the Golden Boot race.
Was this Inter Miami's biggest win?
Yes. The 7–1 victory was the largest winning margin in Inter Miami's club history.