The game started off poorly for Miami. In the second minute, Messi sent a back pass directly into the path of Montreal forward Prince Owusu, who scored an easy goal on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, center, attacks the net while defended by CF Montreal’s Luca Petrasso (13) and Caden Clark, right, during first-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

It was not a performance without its faults for Javier Mascherano’s side on their return from the Club World Cup.