Inter Miami defeated CF Montreal 1-0 away with a goal from Luis Suárez in the 81st minute, in a match that also marked Casemiro’s official debut with the Florida team.
The American team thus achieved its sixth consecutive victory in MLS and extended its good run despite once again being without Lionel Messi, who remains in Rosario resting after playing with the Argentine National Team in the 2016 World Cup final against Spain.
The only goal of the match came nine minutes from the end, when Suárez took charge of a penalty and converted with a shot down the middle of the goal, breaking a deadlock in a game that until then had been tight and scoreless.
The Uruguayan striker once again assumed the offensive leadership role for Inter Miami after having scored a brace in the 3-2 victory against Chicago Fire during the week.
Furthermore, the match featured the debut of Casemiro, who started just days after Inter Miami officially announced his signing as a free agent following his departure from Manchester United.
The Brazilian wore the number 5 jersey and shared the midfield with Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia, and Mateo Silvetti, in his first appearance in Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami dominated much of the game, finishing with more possession and creating more scoring opportunities than Montreal, although they only managed to break down the Canadian side’s resistance in the final stages.
Rocco Ríos Novo; Facundo Mura, Ian Fray, Micael, Sergio Reguilón; Casemiro, Bright, Segovia, Silvetti; Germán Berterame, and Suárez comprised the starting lineup for the team managed by Ángel Guillermo Hoyos.
Messi, meanwhile, was not part of the squad. The Argentine captain returned to the country after the defeat in the World Cup final and is currently in Rosario with his family, enjoying a few days of rest before rejoining Inter Miami.
Without their star player, the American team once again found answers in Suárez: the “Pistolero” converted the decisive penalty, Casemiro made his debut, and Miami took three points from Montreal to maintain their winning streak.
The victory, however, had a bitter taste, as Germán Berterame raised concerns during the match after suffering a heavy collision with several defenders in the 69th minute.
The striker lay on the field and required immediate medical attention. An ambulance entered the pitch to remove him and transport him to a medical center.
So far, Inter Miami has not reported the severity of the injury or the striker’s condition. The club is expected to release a medical update in the coming hours.
