After impressing on the world stage, Inter Miami CF<\/a> came back to MLS with a bang on Saturday night.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In their first league match since their historic FIFA Club World Cup showing<\/a>, the Herons earned a statement 4-1 win<\/a> at CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> behind Lionel Messi<\/a>‘s brilliant 2g\/1a performance and additional goals from Tadeo Allende<\/a> and Telasco Segovia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n “It wasn’t easy to get back into the competition after spending a month playing at the Club World Cup, and I think the players handled it perfectly,” head coach Javier Mascherano said of his side’s outing at Stade Saputo, where the Herons overcame an early Prince Owusu<\/a> opener.<\/p>\n “The team had to work hard to turn it around, and they did an excellent job \u2013 right in line with the level we showed throughout the Club World Cup.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n As was the case last month at the prestigious international tournament, Messi stole the show for Miami, scoring two trademark golazos and adding an assist that more than made up for an errant pass that led to Owusu’s tally.<\/p>\n “I still enjoy watching him play,” Mascherano said of the legendary Argentine No. 10. “As a coach, for me, it’s a privilege to coach him.”<\/p>\n Messi, who turned 38 in June, remains an elite difference-maker for the Herons, reaching 12g\/7a on the season as he challenges to become the first-ever Landon Donovan MLS MVP repeat winner. He became the third player in league history, and first since Thierry Henry in 2012, to notch at least 2g\/1a in three consecutive league matches.<\/p>\n “We have to understand that Leo is happy playing soccer, and every time he’s in conditions to play, he’ll play,” Mascherano said. “He gives us an advantage and we want to use it.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Perhaps most importantly, Miami’s display wasn\u2019t entirely on the shoulders of Messi. Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> picked up his eighth assist of the season, while Allende and Segovia chipped in strikes of their own.<\/p>\n “It was a great effort, a strong performance by the team overall,” Allende told reporters. “As for my goal, I\u2019m really happy to have contributed and to add another one.<\/p>\n “Honestly, the second half was much better than the first. We corrected a lot of things we had been struggling with earlier, and that led us to the win.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi . ???? pic.twitter.com\/DsvmC73hns<\/a><\/p>\nMore Messi magic<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
All-around performance<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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