Lionel Messi (38) scored two brilliant goals to lift Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over Montreal in Miami's return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday in the wake of their elimination from the Club World Cup.
Miami were playing their first MLS game in more than a month.
They possessed progressed past the first phase of the Club World Cup but dropped 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 last week.
Messi made sure there was no lingering let-down for Javier Mascherano's side, who are aiming to enhance 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 over 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 key figure throughout, although it was his miscue that led to the first goal for Montreal.
His backpass dropped 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 atoned.
In the 33rd minute, Messi establish Tadeo Allende outside the area and Allende chipped a shot over Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirios.
In the 40th minute, Messi conjured his trademark magic, cutting in from the right corner of the box, eluding Fernando Alvarez, and curling the ball in at the far post for a goal that offered Miami a 2-1 halftime lead.
Telasco Segovia made it 3-1 in the 60th minute with a explode from outside the area that struck the crossbar and rebounded into the net.
Messi bagged his second goal two minutes later, evading four defenders and finishing an outstanding solo run with a shot into the heart of the goal.
Messi 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 suit, 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 confront a hectic MLS stretch, with five more matches before the terminate of the month.
