Inter Miami Tops Chicago Fire 3-2 Without Messi in Return From World Cup Break

Inter Miami CF returned from the FIFA World Cup hiatus with a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, extending its commanding position atop the Eastern Conference standings. The win came despite the absence of two key contributors, as Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were granted extended rest following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final against Spain.

Chicago mounted early offensive pressure spearheaded by Polish forward Robert Lewandowski, whose highly publicized MLS debut marked the marquee moment of the matchup. An own goal by Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, following a miscued clearance off a pass from left back Ian Fray, handed Chicago the opening advantage in the first half.

Miami equalized through captain Luis Suárez, who converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute after David Ruiz was fouled by defender Jack Elliott. The Uruguayan striker’s composed finish off the left post knotted the match at 1-1 heading into the break, with both squads limited by hydration stoppages and tactical adjustments.

Suárez doubled his tally six minutes into the second half with an expertly finished backheel setup from Germán Berterame, giving the Herons a 2-1 advantage. Miami’s depth challenges mounted with key defensive players Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Luján and Maximiliano Falcón unavailable due to injury.

Chicago struck back when Puso Dithejane, Lewandowski’s replacement following a 62nd-minute triple substitution, restored parity at 2-2. Preston Plambeck, an academy product introduced as a second-half substitute, secured Miami’s winning goal late in regulation, with eight minutes of stoppage time added as Chicago unsuccessfully pursued an equalizer.