Luis Suarez struck a late penalty to hand Inter Miami a 1-0 victory over CF Montréal on Saturday, but the result was overshadowed by a serious head injury suffered by forward Germán Berterame.
With Lionel Messi still being rested following Argentina’s run to the FIFA World Cup final, Miami once again had to cope without their biggest star. New signing Casemiro, however, made an assured first appearance in midfield as the club extended its winning streak.
The defining moment of the match came in the closing stages after Berterame was involved in a heavy aerial collision with Montréal defender Efraín Morales. The pair challenged for the same ball before clashing heads, leaving Berterame motionless on the pitch.
Players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance as staff rushed onto the field. Following lengthy treatment, Berterame was taken away by ambulance, prompting visible concern among teammates and supporters.
Speaking after the match, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos sought to reassure fans.
“He’s OK and conscious,” Hoyos said. “His family has been informed of everything. We didn’t know what to do. It was a very desperate situation.”
The collision resulted in a penalty, which Suarez calmly converted in the 81st minute. After scoring, the Uruguayan held up Berterame’s shirt in a gesture of support.
The goal continued Suarez’s impressive run of form. The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker has now scored six goals in his last three matches, taking his tally for the season to nine.
Casemiro, who joined Miami this week from Manchester United, produced a composed display on his debut. The 34-year-old Brazilian, a five-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, dictated play in midfield and helped control the tempo, although both sides struggled to convert chances throughout the contest.
Messi and fellow Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul were both absent for a second consecutive match following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in last weekend’s World Cup final. Major League Soccer also confirmed on Saturday that Messi will not be required to feature in next week’s MLS All-Star Game.
The victory extends Miami’s winning run to six matches since league action resumed after the World Cup. They now sit just two points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, who slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Orlando City.
Elsewhere, Chicago Fire’s difficult run continued with a 3-1 loss to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Robert Lewandowski is still searching for his first victory since joining the club from Barcelona.
Agustín Ojeda, Nicolás Fernández and Malachi Jones scored for New York City, while Joel Waterman netted Chicago’s only goal.
For Inter Miami, the three points were significant. Yet the lasting image from the evening was not Suarez’s winning penalty or Casemiro’s debut, but players from both teams anxiously surrounding Berterame as medical teams fought to ensure his safety.
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