Lionel Messi scored four goals and added an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 7-1 victory over CF Montreal on August 30, 2026. The win at Nu Stadium halted a five-game winless run, propelled Messi to the top of the MLS Golden Boot standings, and set a club record for goals in a single match.
Lionel Messi Smashes Four Goals in Inter Miami Rout
Inter Miami bounced back in emphatic fashion on August 30, 2026, dismantling CF Montreal 7-1 at Nu Stadium. The lopsided triumph set a club record for goals scored in a single game and snapped a five-game winless run across all competitions. Looking to snap a five-game winless run across all competitions, Miami were on the front foot from the opening kickoff. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar smashed a “poker” as Inter Miami routed CF Montreal 7-1 in the MLS.
The offensive explosion began early when summer signing Casemiro rose above the defense on a corner kick to head home his first goal for the club in the 20th minute. It was Casemiro’s first goal with the club. Although Montreal answered with an equalizer in the 37th minute, the Messi storm blanketed the Montreal backline as the 39-year-old Argentine forward took complete control of the match. Montreal responded with a goal of their own in the 37th minute, but then came Messi.
Free-Kick Mastery and Historic Milestones
Messi restored Miami’s lead just before halftime by curling in a 40th-minute free kick that took a deflection on its way past the goalkeeper. A Messi free-kick was deflected on its way to the back of the net to make it 2-1. He followed up shortly after the intermission with a dazzling solo run in the 52nd minute, weaving through multiple defenders before finishing smoothly with his left foot. Messi then struck again in the 52nd minute with a truly marvelous goal where he danced around several defenders and finished with his weak foot.
The veteran star later chipped Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier for his hat-trick before sealing the night with a trademark long-range free kick as time expired. Messi then notched his hat-trick just three minutes later with a chip over the goalkeeper. With the score at 5-1, 18-year-old Alexander Shaw took advantage of his opportunity by burying a long-distance shot. Messi made sure to one-up the youngster, though, with a stellar free-kick goal as time expired. The four-goal performance pushed Messi’s season tally to 18 goals and 10 assists, vaulting him past FC Dallas player Petar Musa to claim the lead in the MLS Golden Boot race. Messi began the day two behind Petar Musa of FC Dallas in the goals race. Messi netted four goals and added an assist as the Herons secured a historic 7-1 home win over CF Montréal on Saturday. The lopsided result set a club record for goals scored in a single game and lifted the legendary No. 10 to 18g/10a on the season to pass FC Dallas’s Petar Musa (16g/2a) into the Golden Boot lead.
“That’s what it means to have Messi on the team. We have to enjoy these moments because he is a person, a player who makes history. We saw today that we have to enjoy it, keep supporting and keep competing with him because he continues to be the best. He proved it in the World Cup. We have to enjoy it because, with him, we are so much stronger.”
Casemiro, Inter Miami midfielder, via Apple TV
The milestone-heavy evening marked the 62nd hat-trick of Messi’s professional career and the ninth time he has netted four or more goals in a single match. Messi’s hat-trick was the 62nd of his professional career and 51st in club colours. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (66) has recorded more among active players. It was also the ninth time in Messi’s pro career that he’s scored four or more goals in a match, with Ronaldo leading the all-time charts (11). It also elevated his career direct free-kick goal tally to 74. Messi became just the 19th player in MLS history to score four goals in a game, and the 39-year-old became the fastest player in league history to reach 20 multigoal games, doing so in 72 appearances.
Supporting Cast and Management Transition
Beyond Messi’s scoring display, several teammates contributed to the historic 7-1 scoreline. Luis Suárez found the net in the 80th minute following a vintage setup from Messi, marking Suárez’s 11th goal of the campaign. Messi helped his longtime friend Luis Suarez get on the scoresheet with a vintage assist in the 80th minute, then notched his hat-trick just three minutes later with a chip over the goalkeeper. Luis Suárez scored his 11th goal with an assist from Messi — his 10th — for a 4-1 lead in the 80th minute and 18-year-old rookie Alexander Shaw made it 6-1 in the 89th with his first goal in three appearances and 37 minutes of play. Late in the contest, 18-year-old rookie Alexander Shaw capitalized on his substitute appearance by driving home a long-distance strike for his first goal in three career appearances.
The victory unfolded during a period of transition for the franchise. The 7-1 triumph came during a period of transition for the club. Miami had recently announced that Guillermo Hoyos would be replaced by Kily Gonzalez as head coach. Gonzalez wasn’t on the sideline for this game, but he will be soon. It was the team’s first game since the club announced Guillermo Hoyos would be replaced by Kily Gonzalez at the manager position. While Hoyos watched the Montreal rout from the stands due to a suspension, the outgoing coach expressed awe at his captain’s enduring dominance.
“I don’t think he’s a normal soccer player. You have to do a really deep analysis to find out what he’s like, soccer-wise and as a person.”
Guillermo Hoyos, interim head coach
With the commanding win secured, Miami sits 10 points behind Nashville SC in the Eastern Conference standings as they prepare to face Atlanta United next Saturday. Miami still trail Nashville SC by 10 points, giving them long odds for the Supporters’ Shield and top spot in the Eastern Conference. But Messi’s attacking outburst pushes him to the forefront of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP conversation, an accolade he’s already garnered in each of the last two seasons.
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