Lionel Messi Scores Four Goals as Inter Miami Crush CF Montréal 7-1 in Historic MLS Victory

Lionel Messi has once again reminded the football world why he remains one of the greatest players of all time.

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Messi produced one of the most spectacular individual performances of his Major League Soccer career, scoring four goals and providing an assist as Inter Miami CF demolished CF Montréal 7-1 at home. The victory was not only a much-needed result for Miami but also a historic night for the club, which scored seven goals in a single MLS match for the first time.

The performance came at an important moment. Inter Miami had been struggling for results, entering the match on a five-game winless run across competitions. Instead of allowing that difficult period to continue, Messi completely changed the mood around the team with a sensational display of finishing, dribbling, creativity and set-piece quality.

The four-goal performance also pushed Messi to 18 MLS goals for the season, moving him ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa in the MLS Golden Boot race. He also added his 10th league assist, giving him an extraordinary 18 goals and 10 assists for the campaign according to MLS coverage. (mlssoccer)

A Night That Started With Pressure

Inter Miami entered the match needing a response.

Despite having one of the most talented squads in MLS, the club had experienced a difficult stretch of results. The pressure was particularly significant because Miami were trying to maintain their position near the top of the Eastern Conference while also preparing for the decisive part of the season.

CF Montréal, meanwhile, arrived in Florida looking to make life difficult for the home side. The Canadian club had been enjoying a stronger period of form and had already shown that it could compete against MLS opponents.

Few people, however, could have predicted what would happen over the next 90 minutes.

Miami immediately attempted to control possession and attack the Montréal defense. Messi was heavily involved in the buildup, constantly moving into dangerous positions and looking for opportunities to create something.

But Montréal did not simply surrender.

The visitors managed to equalize after Miami had taken an early lead, creating a moment of uncertainty for the home supporters.

That was when Messi took control.

Casemiro Opens the Scoring

Inter Miami's first goal came in the 20th minute, and it was scored by a player whose presence has added another fascinating dimension to the club's squad: Casemiro.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder, now playing for Miami, headed the ball into the net from a corner delivered by Telasco Segovia.

It was Casemiro's first MLS goal for Inter Miami.

The goal was particularly interesting because Miami had defensive injury problems, forcing Casemiro to operate in a deeper defensive role rather than simply playing his usual midfield position. His ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch immediately proved valuable. (ABC News)

However, the lead did not last.

Montréal Responds

CF Montréal found an equalizer in the 37th minute through Fabian Herbers.

Herbers' goal was his first of the MLS campaign and temporarily changed the atmosphere inside the stadium. At 1-1, Miami were again facing the possibility of dropping points during a difficult period.

Then came Messi.

Three minutes after Montréal's equalizer, Messi stepped over a free kick.

The Argentine superstar delivered a dangerous ball toward goal, and the attempt took a deflection before finding the net.

Miami were back in front.

The timing was crucial. Instead of entering halftime frustrated at 1-1, Inter Miami went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

More importantly, Messi had started what would become a historic individual performance.

Messi's Second Goal: Pure Individual Brilliance

Messi's second goal of the night came in the 52nd minute.

This time, there was no need for a set piece.

The 39-year-old received the ball and began one of those trademark Messi runs that football fans have watched for nearly two decades.

He moved through the Montréal defense, using his close control and balance to escape multiple defenders before finishing the attack.

It was a goal that demonstrated a different side of Messi's brilliance.

His first goal had come from a free kick. His second was created through individual skill.

By this point, Miami had a 3-1 advantage, but Messi was nowhere near finished.

The goal also moved him to 16 MLS goals for the season, bringing him level with Petar Musa at the top of the Golden Boot standings at that stage of the match. (FOX Sports)

Messi Turns Scorer Into Provider

One of the most impressive aspects of Messi's performance was that he was not simply interested in scoring.

He continued creating opportunities for his teammates.

In the 80th minute, Messi supplied Luis Suárez, who finished the move to make it 4-1.

For Messi, it was another reminder that his value cannot be measured simply by goals.

His vision and passing remain among the most dangerous weapons in MLS.

The connection between Messi and Suárez has become one of the defining features of Inter Miami's attack. The two players have shared a long football history, and their understanding remains obvious whenever they combine in the final third.

Against Montréal, that relationship produced another goal.

The Hat Trick Arrives

Just three minutes after assisting Suárez, Messi completed his hat trick.

With Montréal's defense already struggling to contain him, Messi produced another moment of extraordinary composure.

Rather than simply smashing the ball toward goal, he delicately chipped the goalkeeper, Thomas Gillier, sending the ball over him and into the net.

The goal made it 5-1.

It was Messi's third goal of the match and his first MLS hat trick of the evening—although the story was far from over.

The crowd had already witnessed an unforgettable performance.

Messi still had another surprise.

A Fourth Goal in Stoppage Time

Deep into second-half stoppage time, Messi stood over another free kick.

For most players, a 5-1 or 6-1 scoreline would mean slowing down and simply waiting for the final whistle.

Not Messi.

He saw another opportunity.

The Argentine stepped up and delivered a precise free kick into the net.

The ball found the side of the goal, producing Messi's fourth goal of the night.

It was a spectacular way to finish an already remarkable performance.

Messi had scored from set pieces, scored through individual dribbling, scored with a delicate chip and created a goal for Suárez.

His final numbers were extraordinary:

4 goals.

1 assist.

18 MLS goals for the season.

10 MLS assists.

And, most importantly, a 7-1 victory for Inter Miami.

The performance was Messi's first four-goal game in MLS and the ninth occasion in his professional career that he has scored at least four goals in a match. (mlssoccer)

Inter Miami Make Club History

While Messi received most of the attention, the result was also historic for Inter Miami as a club.

The 7-1 victory was Miami's biggest margin of victory in club history, and it was the first time the team had scored seven goals in a league match.

That makes the result particularly significant.

Inter Miami have developed rapidly since entering MLS, but the club has never lacked ambition. The arrival of Messi transformed the global profile of the team, while the addition of other experienced stars has increased expectations.

A seven-goal performance represents another milestone in that development.

The result also came at exactly the right time.

Miami needed confidence.

They needed goals.

They needed three points.

And they needed Messi.

They got all four.

Messi Takes the Golden Boot Lead

Perhaps one of the biggest individual consequences of the match was Messi's position in the MLS scoring race.

Before the game, Messi was behind FC Dallas' Petar Musa.

After scoring four times, Messi moved to the top.

He now has 18 MLS goals, while his overall contribution is even more impressive because he has also recorded 10 assists. (mlssoccer)

For a player who is 39 years old, those numbers are remarkable.

Messi's career has already included league titles in Spain and France, Champions League success, international glory with Argentina and a World Cup triumph.

Yet his MLS adventure continues to produce extraordinary statistics.

The Golden Boot race could become one of the most interesting individual battles of the remaining season.

Why Messi's Performance Was So Special

Scoring four goals is impressive for any footballer.

Doing it at the age of 39 makes the achievement even more remarkable.

But the variety of Messi's goals is what truly stands out.

His first goal came from a free kick.

His second came after a brilliant individual run.

His third was a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.

His fourth was another spectacular free kick.

And between those goals, he created an assist for Suárez.

That means Messi influenced the match in almost every possible way.

He could score from distance.

He could beat defenders.

He could create chances.

He could deliver dangerous set pieces.

And he could finish with extraordinary calmness.

This versatility is one of the main reasons Messi continues to be so difficult for opponents to defend.

Casemiro Praises Messi

Casemiro, who opened the scoring for Miami, was understandably impressed by what he saw from his teammate.

The Brazilian midfielder described Messi's presence as something the team must enjoy because he continues to make history.

For Casemiro, playing alongside Messi represents a dramatic change from their previous football relationship.

During their years in Spain, Casemiro was one of Real Madrid's key midfielders while Messi was the superstar of Barcelona.

They competed against one another in some of the biggest matches in world football.

Now they are teammates in Miami.

Casemiro's comments reflected the respect that Messi continues to receive from elite players who have spent years competing against him. (Reuters)

Coach Left Speechless by Messi

Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos also struggled to find the right words to describe Messi's performance.

His reaction was understandable.

Coaches can analyze formations, passing patterns, pressing structures and defensive positioning.

But performances like this can be difficult to explain with tactics alone.

Messi appeared to have complete control of the game.

He knew when to accelerate.

He knew when to slow down.

He knew when to pass.

He knew when to shoot.

And when free-kick opportunities appeared, he looked almost inevitable.

Hoyos emphasized Messi's continued growth as a footballer despite his age, suggesting that the Argentine continues to find ways to improve his understanding and execution of the game. (mlssoccer)

A Much-Needed Response for Inter Miami

The result was more than a statistical achievement.

It was a psychological boost.

Inter Miami had gone through a frustrating stretch before the Montréal match, and a poor result could have created even more questions around the team's form.

Instead, Miami produced their most convincing attacking performance of the season.

The players scored seven times.

The defense limited Montréal's opportunities after conceding the equalizer.

And Messi rediscovered his most devastating form.

The victory gave Miami three important points and moved their league record to 12 wins, four losses and six draws, according to the match reports. (ABC News)

What This Means for the MLS MVP Race

Messi's four-goal performance could also have major implications in the MLS MVP conversation.

The Argentine has already won the league's MVP award in each of the previous two seasons, and another outstanding campaign could put him in position to make history.

According to MLS coverage, Messi's latest performance has strengthened his case for another Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. (mlssoccer)

The competition will not be easy.

MLS has several outstanding players producing impressive numbers.

But Messi's combination of goals and assists gives him a unique advantage.

He is not merely a striker.

He is simultaneously a creator, playmaker and scorer.

That makes his influence on Inter Miami's attacking structure difficult to replace.

The Bigger Picture for Inter Miami

The immediate priority for Inter Miami is now consistency.

A single 7-1 victory cannot solve every problem.

The club still has important matches ahead and must maintain its level if it wants to challenge for major honors.

The Eastern Conference remains highly competitive, with Nashville SC holding a significant advantage at the top.

Miami therefore cannot afford to rely on individual moments alone.

Messi can produce extraordinary performances, but the team around him must also defend effectively, control midfield and support the attack.

The Montréal match showed what is possible when those elements come together.

If Miami can reproduce that attacking confidence, they could become a dangerous opponent during the final stages of the MLS season.

A New Coaching Era Is Coming

Another interesting storyline surrounding Inter Miami is the club's coaching transition.

Guillermo Hoyos has been serving as interim coach, while Cristian “Kily” González is preparing to take over once his work permit and related arrangements are completed.

That means the Montréal match could eventually be remembered as one of the final major performances of the Hoyos interim period.

The timing makes Messi's performance even more interesting.

A new coach will arrive with enormous expectations.

Managing a squad containing Messi, Suárez and other experienced stars is not an ordinary coaching job.

The new manager will need to build a system that allows Messi to remain influential while also making the team competitive across the entire pitch.

What Comes Next for Messi and Miami?

Inter Miami will now look to carry the momentum from this historic win into their next MLS fixture.

Their upcoming challenge is Atlanta United.

After such a dramatic victory, the biggest question is whether Miami can turn one brilliant night into a sustained run of strong results.

For Messi, the Golden Boot race will also continue.

With 18 league goals, he has moved to the top of the scoring standings.

But the season is not finished.

Other elite forwards will continue to chase him, meaning Messi must maintain his incredible production if he wants to finish as MLS's leading scorer.

At 39, every performance like this also carries a special significance.

Football fans know that Messi's career is entering its final stages.

That makes nights like the Montréal match even more valuable.

Fans are no longer simply watching a superstar perform.

They are watching football history being created in real time.

Final Thoughts

Lionel Messi's four-goal performance against CF Montréal was far more than another impressive statistic in an already extraordinary career.

It was a statement.

Inter Miami needed a response after a difficult run of results, and Messi delivered one of the strongest individual performances the club has ever seen.

The final score—Inter Miami 7, CF Montréal 1—tells only part of the story.

Messi scored four.

He assisted another.

He scored two free kicks.

He produced a brilliant solo goal.

He completed his hat trick with a clever chip.

And he finished the night with another spectacular set piece in stoppage time.

The victory also gave Inter Miami their first seven-goal league performance and their biggest winning margin in club history. (mlssoccer)

At 39 years old, Messi continues to challenge the normal expectations of aging footballers.

His latest performance demonstrated that his football intelligence, technical quality and finishing ability remain extraordinary.

For Inter Miami, the challenge now is simple: turn Messi's magic into consistent team success.

For MLS fans, however, there is an even simpler conclusion.

As long as Lionel Messi is on the field, something extraordinary can happen at any moment.

FAQs

1. How many goals did Lionel Messi score against CF Montréal?
Lionel Messi scored four goals in Inter Miami’s 7-1 victory over CF Montréal.

2. What was the final score of the match?
Inter Miami defeated CF Montréal 7-1.

3. Did Messi provide an assist in the match?
Yes. Messi also recorded one assist, setting up Luis Suárez for a goal.

4. How many MLS goals does Messi have this season?
After the match, Messi moved to 18 MLS goals for the season.

5. What record did Inter Miami achieve?
The 7-1 victory was Inter Miami’s biggest winning margin and their first seven-goal performance in an MLS match.