Lionel Messi scored four times and assisted another goal as Inter Miami beat CF Montréal 7-1 in Major League Soccer. The result was the largest winning margin in Inter Miami history and ended a five-game winless run across all competitions. Messi finished the night leading the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 regular-season goals.
Key facts
- Messi scored four goals in an MLS match for the first time.
- He also assisted Luis Suárez's 80th-minute goal.
- The 7-1 result was Inter Miami's largest margin of victory.
- Messi ended the match with a league-leading 18 regular-season goals.
Timeline
Aug. 30, 2026 — Messi scores four and assists one in a 7-1 win over Montréal. Aug. 31 — the performance drives renewed interest and places him atop the MLS scoring chart. Sept. 5 — Miami is scheduled to host Atlanta United.
The performance changed the immediate mood around a Miami side that had gone five matches without a win. It also put Messi on top of the league scoring chart with 18 goals and kept Miami moving in a crowded playoff race, while showing how quickly one exceptional attacking display can reset a team's form.
The official club recap lists Miami at 12 wins, four losses and six draws for 42 points after the match. Standings remain fluid as clubs complete different numbers of fixtures, so the points total is more useful than a snapshot rank taken between matchdays.
What happened?
Casemiro opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Fabian Herbers equalized for Montréal. Messi restored Miami's lead with a free kick before halftime, added a solo goal in the 52nd minute, assisted Luis Suárez in the 80th and then scored twice more in the closing minutes. Academy product Alexander Shaw also scored his first MLS goal.
Why it matters
The performance changed the immediate mood around a Miami side that had gone five matches without a win. It also put Messi on top of the league scoring chart with 18 goals and kept Miami moving in a crowded playoff race, while showing how quickly one exceptional attacking display can reset a team's form.
Background
Lionel Messi scored four times and assisted another goal as Inter Miami beat CF Montréal 7-1 in Major League Soccer. The result was the largest winning margin in Inter Miami history and ended a five-game winless run across all competitions. Messi finished the night leading the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 regular-season goals.
Who wins?
Miami collected three points, a club-record margin and contributions from both established stars and an academy player. Messi gained the Golden Boot lead, while Shaw marked his first-team breakthrough with a goal.
Who loses?
Montréal stayed level until the 40th minute but conceded six times after its equalizer. The final ten minutes were especially damaging, with Miami scoring four goals from the 80th minute through stoppage time.
Market impact
The official club recap lists Miami at 12 wins, four losses and six draws for 42 points after the match. Standings remain fluid as clubs complete different numbers of fixtures, so the points total is more useful than a snapshot rank taken between matchdays.
Nivegu analysis
The headline belongs to Messi, but the sequence matters. Miami did not simply coast from the opening whistle: Montréal equalized, and the match remained within one goal until the second half. Messi's second goal created separation, and the late surge turned a strong win into a record scoreline.
Different viewpoints
Miami collected three points, a club-record margin and contributions from both established stars and an academy player. Messi gained the Golden Boot lead, while Shaw marked his first-team breakthrough with a goal.
Montréal stayed level until the 40th minute but conceded six times after its equalizer. The final ten minutes were especially damaging, with Miami scoring four goals from the 80th minute through stoppage time.
What are you still wondering?
Answers will use this briefing and its cited sources.Sources and further reading
01Inter Miami CF — official match recap↗02The Guardian — MLS roundup↗03ESPN — Messi scores four in Miami win↗Questions, answered.
What is the short version?
Lionel Messi scored four times and assisted another goal as Inter Miami beat CF Montréal 7-1 in Major League Soccer. The result was the largest winning margin in Inter Miami history and ended a five-game winless run across all competitions. Messi finished the night leading the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 regular-season goals.
Why does this matter now?
The performance changed the immediate mood around a Miami side that had gone five matches without a win. It also put Messi on top of the league scoring chart with 18 goals and kept Miami moving in a crowded playoff race, while showing how quickly one exceptional attacking display can reset a team's form.
What should readers watch next?
The official club recap lists Miami at 12 wins, four losses and six draws for 42 points after the match. Standings remain fluid as clubs complete different numbers of fixtures, so the points total is more useful than a snapshot rank taken between matchdays.
