Luis Suarez stepped up in the 81st minute and converted a penalty to hand Inter Miami a 1-0 victory at Saputo Stadium on Saturday, a result that came against the run of late play. CF Montreal finished with an expected goals figure of 2.04 compared to Miami’s 1.72, and the hosts forced three saves from Rocco Rios Novo, but they could not find a way past the visitors’ backline. In the end, one moment of clinical finishing from the 39-year-old forward settled a tight, low-scoring contest.
Key Moments
- 23′, Ian Fray picked up a yellow card for Inter Miami, an early caution that forced the visitors to tread carefully in the midfield battle.
- 59′, Inter Miami made their first change, withdrawing Sergio Reguilon as Dean Smith looked to freshen the flanks.
- 61′, CF Montreal responded with a double substitution, replacing Samuel Piette and, a minute later, Daniel Rios as they pushed for a breakthrough.
- 80′, Miami brought on German Berterame while Montreal sent on Matthew Longstaff, both sides loading up attacking options with ten minutes left.
- 81′, Luis Suarez stepped up and converted the penalty to put Inter Miami ahead, his composure from 12 yards proving the difference.
- 84′, Telasco Segovia was booked for Inter Miami, Miami’s second yellow of the night, as tensions rose in the closing stages.
Tactical Breakdown
Inter Miami controlled the ball throughout, finishing with 58 percent possession, 522 total passes and an 88 percent pass accuracy. Their 4-4-2 shape, anchored by Casemiro in midfield, allowed them to dictate territory and generate 20 total shots. The problem was conversion: nine of those went off target, nine more were blocked, and only two found the goalkeeper, meaning their actual output fell well short of the volume they created.
CF Montreal, set up in a 4-3-3 by the team’s interim staff, sat deeper and looked to threaten on the break. They managed 8 total shots with 7 inside the box, and an xG of 2.04 tells the story of a side that had genuine chances but could not finish them off. The home side’s three saves forced from the Miami keeper represented their best avenue to goal, but the quality in the final third was not there when it mattered.
Montreal’s double substitution around the 61st minute did change the tempo briefly, pushing the visitors back, but it also opened space that Inter Miami eventually exploited. The penalty award in the 81st minute settled the game before Montreal’s late changes, including Victor Loturi and Efrain Morales at the 90th minute, had any chance to make an impact.
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Verdict
The win moves Inter Miami up the Eastern Conference standings on the back of a game they did not dominate on xG, but ultimately controlled where it counted. CF Montreal remain in a difficult spot, having created enough to take something from the game yet walking away empty-handed. The result adds points for a Miami side working to stay relevant in MLS 2026, while Montreal’s inability to convert their chances will frustrate Greg Vanney heading into the week.