MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi scored three times in the second half to finish off his first four-goal effort in MLS play while adding an assist, and Inter Miami scored six unaswered goals in a 7-1 romp over CF Montreal on Saturday night.
Messi snapped a 1-1 tie in the 40th minute when he found the net for the 15th time, scoring off a free kick.
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The reigning Golden Boot Award winner and league MVP scored for a 3-1 lead in the 52nd minute. His 17th and 18th goals of the season came in the 83rd and sixth minute of stoppage time with the final one also coming off a free kick. Messi began the day two behind Petar Musa of FC Dallas in the goals race.
Carlos Casimiro scored with a header off a corner kick by Telasco Segovia in the 20th minute to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal for the 34-year-old midfielder in his sixth league appearance and a career-best ninth assist for Segovia in his second MLS season.
Montreal tied it in the 37th minute on a goal by Fabian Herbers — his first of the campaign.
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.
Dayne St. Clair finished with three saves for Inter Miami (12-4-6), which finished August with a 1-2-2 record after a fifth straight victory over Montreal.
Thomas Gillier saved five shots for Montreal (5-11-6).
It was Inter Miami's first victory since beating Montreal 1-0 on the road to close out July. Suárez won that one on a penalty kick in the 81st minute.
Montreal: At Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Miami: Hosts Atlanta United on Saturday.
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