Messi scored two, Suarez added a double of his own, and Inter Miami returned to winning ways against lowly Montreal
Lionel Messi bagged a brace and Luis Suarez was also at the double as Inter Miami rolled past a poor Montreal side to break a poor spell in MLS play with a 4-2 win Wednesday night. The Argentine was instrumental throughout, while his old Barcelona teammate found some life as well, leading the Herons to three vital points.
Messi, as expected, opened the game up after a sluggish start. It was a classic Messi goal, a quick exchange with Sergio Busquets followed by angled curled finish from the top of the box. It was an otherwise languid first half, Messi popping up here and there without creating much.
Then, the second half exploded. It started with a double save from Oscar Ustari, who twice denied close-range efforts with insinctive stops. Miami took advantage immediately, going straight down with a well constructed counter attack. Messi provided the key moment again, dinking a ball into the box that Suarez – afforded far too much space – controlled and finished. He added another three minutes later, reacting first to a loose ball and stroking into the bottom corner.
Montreal gave themselves a glimmer of hope after 73rd minute, Dante Sealy ghosting inside and tucking the ball into the bottom corner. But Messi had the final word, combining with Suarez and dinking over a stranded goalkeeper to wrap up a win.
A late Montreal goal only made the scoreline appear narrower. The result, though, was remarkably comfortable.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium.
Goalkeeper & Defense
Oscar Ustari (6/10):
Made an impressive double save before conceding a couple of goals he really couldn't do anything about.
Ian Fray (6/10):
A solid shift on the right. Got up and down without ever really providing the killer ball.
Gonzalo Lujan (N/A):
Seemed to pick up a groin issue after 12 minutes.
Noah Allen (6/10):
Tidy at the back until he was absolutely skinned in the run up to Montreal's goal. He looks more and more comfortable with each game.
Jordi Alba (N/A):
Went off injured early on. Miami will hope it's not serious.
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Tadeo Allende (5/10):
Ran around a lot and looked to connect, but completed just 61 percent of his passes.
Sergio Busquets (8/10):
Class throughout. Assisted the first goal and was instrumental in a couple more. Tackled well and fouled at the right times, too.
Federico Redondo (6/10):
Ate up ground in the Yannick Bright role. Ensured that there wasn't much of a drop off in the engine room.
Telasco Segovia (7/10):
A more measured evening from last weekend's hero, who offered plenty of control – and linked up with Messi well.
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Lionel Messi (9/10):
Scored a typically outrageous goal. Did all sorts of nice things, and then assisted Suarez wonderfully. Capped off his evening with a delightful dink.
Luis Suarez (8/10):
Pretty sloppy in the first half, and then deadly in the second. Scored two instinctive goals, and then set up another. Quality.
GettySubs & Manager
Tomas Alives (5/10):
Came on and then went off injured. Miami are struggling at center-back.
Hector Martinez (6/10):
Did his job without being revolutionary. Might be asked to play more going forward.
Maxi Falcon (6/10):
A mixed second half. Solid at times but also completely lost his man on Montreal's second.
Benja Cremaschi (N/A):
Barely involved in 20 middling minutes.
Fafa Picault (N/A):
Late legs to stretch the game a bit.
Javier Mascherano (7/10):
Not a bad night's work, all said. Got his system right and relied on his star men for a convincing win. The seat cools down – for now.
