Lionel Messi scored four times as Inter Miami ended their five-match winless run in emphatic fashion, crushing struggling Montreal 7-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

Miami had endured a difficult spell since the resumption of the season following the World Cup, suffering four defeats in their previous five matches before Saturday’s home encounter.

However, the reigning MLS Cup champions produced a commanding display to return to winning ways against Montreal, who remain second from bottom in the Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Brazil international Casemiro rose highest to head the ball into the net, marking his first goal for the club since joining after the World Cup.

Montreal responded 17 minutes later to level the contest. Fabian Herbers collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before firing a low effort into the bottom corner, giving the visitors hope of securing a positive result.

That optimism would soon disappear, however, as Miami took control and Messi eventually took centre stage with a spectacular four-goal performance.

Miami quickly restored their advantage, moving 2-1 ahead in the 40th minute when Messi’s low, curling free-kick appeared to catch Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier completely off guard. The unusual effort was credited as an own goal by some sources.

Messi added another goal shortly after the restart to extend Miami’s lead. The 39-year-old Argentina star showed impressive strength and close control as he weaved his way through several Montreal defenders before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

Messi was involved again for Miami’s fourth goal, producing a superbly weighted pass to release his former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward kept his composure and finished clinically to put the result beyond doubt.

Messi completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute after collecting a pass from Rodrigo De Paul. With Gillier rushing off his line, the Argentine calmly lifted a delicate finish over the goalkeeper to make it 5-1.

Inter Miami continued to pile on the pressure, and teenage substitute Alex Shaw added a sixth in the 89th minute. Shaw found space outside the penalty area before unleashing a low strike into the net.

There was still time for Messi to put the finishing touch on a remarkable individual display. Deep into stoppage time, the veteran stepped up from the edge of the box and curled a trademark free-kick into the net to complete his four-goal haul.

The emphatic victory moved Inter Miami into second place in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville, who were scheduled to play later on Saturday.