Messi and Lewandowski Shine as Inter Miami and Chicago Fire Draw in Historic MLS Match

Messi Assists Casemiro as Inter Miami Salvages a Draw Against Lewandowski's Chicago Fire

Lionel Messi made MLS history by setting up Casemiro’s equalizer, helping Inter Miami come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Robert Lewandowski’s Chicago Fire.

Record Crowd Witnesses Exciting Clash at Soldier Field

The match between Chicago Fire and Inter Miami on Wednesday night drew an incredible crowd of 63,094 fans to Soldier Field, setting a new home attendance record for Chicago. This surpassed the previous record established during last season’s meeting of the same teams.

With stars like Messi, Lewandowski, and Casemiro on the pitch, the game was a showcase of both attacking flair and solid defending, thrilling those in attendance.

European Legends Deliver Early Goals

The scoring opened early as former Bayern Munich and Barcelona forward Lewandowski impressed with an acrobatic finish in the 10th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Despite this setback, Inter Miami fought back after halftime.

The equalizer came from Casemiro, a seasoned midfielder with a rich European background, who rose above defenders to head in a precise corner delivered by Messi. This goal underscored the quality Miami possesses and kept the game tightly contested.

Messi Breaks More MLS Records

The assist for Casemiro’s goal marked Messi’s 13th assist of the season, putting him at the top of the league’s assist leaderboard. He also achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first player in MLS history to tally 30 or more goal contributions in three different seasons, having already scored 18 goals this campaign.

Messi remains the key figure driving Inter Miami’s success this season.

Chicago's Goalkeeper Stands Out

Chris Brady, Chicago Fire’s goalkeeper, played a crucial role in keeping his side in the game, making six vital saves throughout the match. Among these was a stunning diving stop against German Berterame in the 16th minute.

Implications for the MLS Title Race

The draw leaves both teams reflecting on missed chances as league leaders Nashville SC were defeated by Toronto FC earlier. A win for either team today would have shaken up the standings significantly.

Inter Miami currently sit second in the table, nine points behind Nashville SC. They aim to build momentum toward winning back-to-back titles, something not seen since the LA Galaxy did it in 2012.

Chicago Fire now face a key weekend clash against the New England Revolution. A win could propel them from fourth to third place, giving them a big boost in the race.

• Upcoming Matches:
• Inter Miami vs Nashville SC: 13 Sept 2026, 01:30
• Chicago Fire vs New England Revolution: 13 Sept 2026, 23:30