Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez delivered a dazzling performance Wednesday night, each scoring twice to lead Inter Miami to a 4-2 victory over CF Montreal in Major League Soccer action.
Messi opened the scoring in the 27th minute and later set up Suarez’s first goal in the 68th, giving Miami a comfortable 2-0 lead. Suarez found the net again just three minutes later, doubling his tally and putting the hosts firmly in control.
Montreal’s Dante Sealy briefly reignited hope for the visitors with a goal in the 74th minute, but Messi struck again in the 87th to seal the win. Victor Loturi managed a consolation goal for Montreal deep into stoppage time.
The win lifts Inter Miami to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 7 wins and 5 draws from 15 matches. Montreal, meanwhile, continues to struggle near the bottom of the table with just 1 win and 10 losses this season.
Coming into the match, Miami had been winless in four games, with two draws and two defeats. Suarez acknowledged the team’s recent slump and the importance of bouncing back.
“We had to take responsibility for the poor results. It’s about correcting our mistakes and regaining confidence,” Suarez said. “This win means a lot. We have to keep building on this kind of performance.”
However, the victory came with a cost. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano expressed concern over injuries to defenders Gonzalo Lujan, Tomas “Toto” Aviles, and Jordi Alba.
“We needed to break the cycle of negative results, and I’m happy we did,” Mascherano said. “But the injuries to Gonzalo, Jordi, and Toto are worrying. Gonzalo and Jordi seemed to have muscle issues. Toto took a knock to the ankle, it swelled up but he wanted to keep going.”
In other MLS action, Philadelphia Union staged a late comeback to defeat Toronto FC 2-1. Norway international Ola Brynhildsen had given Toronto the lead in the 75th minute, but the Union struck back to secure all three points and maintain their spot at the top of the league standings.
