Lionel Messi has two goals as Inter Miami returns to MLS play after FIFA Club World Cup
Messi dribbled past nearly every defender in his path to score two goals, Tadeo Allende and Telasco Segovia also scored, and Inter Miami beat CF Montreal, 4-1, during their match on Saturday, July 5.
You couldn't tell Messi was facing the worst club in the MLS Eastern Conference in Inter Miami's first match since being eliminated by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, June 29.
The Argentine World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner played with the fire and grit he has always displayed during his legendary career, sending the fans at Stade Saputo in Montreal home with a memorable performance and waves in their direction as he walked off the pitch.
Messi nearly had a hat trick in the first minute of stoppage time, but he knew he was offsides after kicking the ball into the net.
'We have to understand that Leo is happy playing soccer and whenever he is fit to play, he will play, because he is happy on the field,' Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the victory.
'Clearly, we have an extra advantage when he plays, and we want to use that advantage as much as possible and in as many games as possible. … He's clearly someone different – a different player – and we're lucky to have him, to have him playing for us. And well, today he made the difference again.'
Messi scored his first goal in the 40th minute, dribbling into the box down the right side, and firing his legendary left boot toward the left side of the net.
His second goal in the 62nd minute was just as impressive: He dribbled from near-midfield to the front of the goal area, maneuvering around four Montreal defenders before securing the brace.
Messi assisted Allende's goal in the 33rd minute, celebrated when Segovia's goal outside the penalty area kissed off the cross bar in the 60th minute, nearly set Luis Suarez up for a goal later in the second half, and pushed for a hat trick as time expired.
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Messi also made such a silly mistake two minutes into the match. He attempted to clear possession, sending a pass between two Inter Miami teammates that was intercepted and scored by Montreal's Prince Owusu for an early 1-0 deficit.
Messi raised his hands over his head in disgust. Then, he responded.
Inter Miami is sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 32 points after 17 games played this season. They have four games in hand because of the Club World Cup, while most of the league has played 20 or 21 games already.
Inter Miami was in a tie for third place before the Club World Cup began, so the urgency for Messi to play and for the club to keep its momentum from the tournament were imperative.
'Overall, we played a great match. It's never easy to get back into the competition after the Club World Cup, and the players did it perfectly,' Mascherano said. 'It's a great night. We took the three points that were very necessary to start thinking about the MLS again.'
Inter Miami 4, CF Montreal 1: Lionel Messi scores second goal
Lionel Messi is playing like a man on a mission, scoring his second goal in the 62nd minute to increase Inter Miami's lead to 4-1. Messi dribbled from near-midfield all the way to the front of the goal area, maneuvering around four Montreal defenders before finding the back of the net. Messi stretched his hands and ran toward the right corner to celebrate.
Inter Miami 3, CF Montreal 1: Telasco Segovia scores goal
Telasco Segovia fired a right boot outside the penalty area that kissed off the cross bar and into the net in the 60th minute, and Inter Miami leads 3-1 in Montreal.
Inter Miami 2, CF Montreal 1: Lionel Messi scores goal
Lionel Messi scored in the 40th minute, and Inter Miami leads 2-1 just before halftime. Messi dribbled into the box down the right side, and fired his legendary left boot toward the left side of the net. It's the 51st goal that Messi has scored with Inter Miami.
Inter Miami 1, CF Montreal 1: Tadeo Allende scores goal
Inter Miami has tied the match after a goal by Tadeo Allende, who connected with a left boot in the 33rd minute, after a short pass from Lionel Messi.
CF Montreal 1, Inter Miami 0: Jordi Alba off the right post
Inter Miami nearly tied the match in the 15th minute, but Jordi Alba's left boot hit off the right post, spoiling a prime opportunity set up by Sergio Busquets. Messi also missed a follow-up shot on the rebound.
CF Montreal 1, Inter Miami 0: Messi mistake leads to early deficit
Two minutes into the match, and Lionel Messi gave away possession on the wrong side of the pitch due to some miscommunication. Montreal's Prince Owusu picked off Messi's errant pass, and scored a goal to take an early 1-0 lead against Inter Miami.
How to watch CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The match will be available to live stream via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
What time is CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
Is Messi playing tonight in Montreal?
Messi is playing, and he's a starter in Inter Miami's starting lineup.
CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami preview
The Montreal match will be the first of seven matches in 25 days through the month of July for Inter Miami. It also comes six days after their 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup round of 16 on June 29. The brief layoff between games is one reason why Messi could play in Montreal.
'Yes, why not?' Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said when asked if Messi would travel and play in Montreal. 'Luckily we had a long week, which was good for us, as we were able to give most of the players two days off, especially those who had played the most minutes.
'And yes, Leo is available,' he added.
Inter Miami was in a tie for third place with 29 points in the MLS Eastern Conference standings before the Club World Cup, but are in seventh place as they resume play. Most of the league has played 19 or 20 games, while Inter Miami has played just 16 matches and will make up their total as the season progresses. Montreal is in last place in the Eastern Conference with 14 points.
CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami betting odds
Here are the betting odds for the match, according to BetMGM.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule in July
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