Messi-Less Inter Miami Falls To Montreal In Major League Soccer Clash
Although Alba's stunning goal in the 80th minute ignited Miami's hopes of a comeback, Montreal resiliently held on to secure all three points, leaving Miami to contemplate their first loss of the campaign.
Inter Miami suffered their inaugural loss of the Major League Soccer season on Sunday, succumbing 3-2 at their home turf to Montreal, a defeat compounded by the absence of Argentine maestro Lionel Messi. Montreal's Fernando Alvarez, Matias Coccaro, and Sunusi Ibrahim found the net, propelling their team to a commendable victory that saw them leap into second place in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing Miami only by goal difference.
Tonight’s final #MIAvMTL pic.twitter.com/ranzka2WwG — Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 10, 2024
Coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino made the strategic decision to rest key starters, including Messi who was notably absent from the squad, alongside Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, who found themselves on the bench. However, Montreal's dominance from the outset questioned the wisdom of this move, as Alvarez opened the scoring with a header from a corner in the 13th minute.
Miami fought to regain control, with Jordi Alba's disallowed goal and Robert Taylor's near misses exemplifying their determination. Despite Taylor's elegant finish ricocheting off the crossbar, Miami persisted in the second half, eventually leveling the scoreline in the 71st minute through Leonardo Campana's header.
Yet, hopes of salvaging a draw were dashed as Montreal swiftly netted two goals in quick succession. Coccaro capitalized on a cross from Mathias Choiniere, before Ibrahim extended the lead with a deflected shot following a swift counter-attack.
Although Alba's stunning goal in the 80th minute ignited Miami's hopes of a comeback, Montreal resiliently held on to secure all three points, leaving Miami to contemplate their first loss of the campaign.
Also Read: Liverpool And Manchester City Settle For Draw In Epic Anfield Showdown
In other MLS fixtures, Cincinnati and D.C. United settled for a goalless draw, while Los Angeles Galaxy staged a remarkable comeback to salvage a 2-2 draw against Nashville. Despite trailing 2-0, Galaxy clawed their way back into the game with goals from Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljic, showcasing their resilience on the road.
The day's action underscored the unpredictable nature of MLS encounters, with teams showcasing both grit and flair as they strive for success in the fiercely competitive league.
