Lionel Messi scored two stunning goals to propel Inter Miami to a 4-1 triumph over Montreal in their return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday, following their elimination from the Club World Cup. Miami was playing their first MLS game in over a month. They had progressed past the initial phase of the Club World Cup but were defeated 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 last week. Messi ensured there was no lingering disappointment for Javier Mascherano’s team, who are aiming to improve on their current sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 17 matches. “It is a great night, we took the three points that were very necessary to start thinking about the MLS again,” Mascherano said. “It is never easy to reintegrate into the competition after the Club World Cup, and the players have done it perfectly.” Messi was a crucial figure throughout, although it was his mistake that led to the first goal for Montreal. His backpass landed right in front of Montreal’s Prince Owusu, who fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to make it 1-0 after two minutes. Messi more than made up for it. In the 33rd minute, Messi found Tadeo Allende outside the area, and Allende chipped a shot over Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirios. In the 40th minute, Messi displayed his trademark magic, cutting in from the right corner of the box, eluding Fernando Alvarez, and curling the ball into the far post for a goal that gave Miami a 2-1 halftime lead. Telasco Segovia made it 3-1 in the 60th minute with a blast from outside the area that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net. Messi scored his second goal two minutes later, dodging four defenders and finishing an outstanding solo run with a shot into the centre of the goal. He now has seven goals in his last four MLS matches, bringing his total to 12 in 14 games. “Leo is happy playing football,” Mascherano said. “Every time he is fit, he is going to play. Clearly we have an extra advantage when he plays and we want to use that advantage as much as possible.” Miami now faces a hectic MLS schedule, with five more matches before the end of the month. With AFP Inputs