Messi and Lewandowski Shine as Inter Miami and Chicago Fire Draw Before Record Crowd

Messi and Lewandowski Star in a Thrilling MLS Draw

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski exchanged key moments as Inter Miami battled back to secure a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire at Soldier Field. The match drew a record-breaking crowd of 63,094 fans, the highest ever for a home game in Chicago's history.

Record Attendance at Soldier Field

The stadium was packed with over 63,000 spectators eager to witness two of Europe's biggest names in action. This attendance beat the previous record set during last season’s meeting between these teams. Fans saw a fiercely competitive contest filled with skillful attacking and strong defensive efforts from both sides.

Goals from European Legends

The match's first goal came early in the 10th minute when former Bayern Munich and Barcelona striker Lewandowski executed an acrobatic finish that electrified the home crowd. Despite this setback, Inter Miami fought back soon after halftime.

Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder with Real Madrid experience, rose above defenders to head in a precise corner kick delivered by Messi. This goal leveled the score and highlighted the quality within Miami's squad.

Messi Sets New MLS Milestones

The assist for Casemiro marked Messi’s 13th of the season, putting him at the top of the league's assist rankings. Additionally, having scored 18 goals so far, he became the first MLS player to reach 30 or more goal contributions in three different seasons. His performance continues to be central to Miami's campaign.

Chicago's Defensive Efforts

Chris Brady, Chicago Fire’s goalkeeper, played a vital role in keeping the game level. He made six important saves, including a spectacular diving stop against German Berterame in the 16th minute, helping maintain pressure on the visitors.

Implications for the Title Race

This draw leaves both teams reflecting on missed chances to take advantage of other results. Earlier, league leaders Nashville SC lost to Toronto FC, meaning a win here could have shifted the standings significantly.

Inter Miami remain second, nine points behind Nashville, aiming to become the first team since the 2012 LA Galaxy to win consecutive MLS titles. Meanwhile, Chicago Fire look ahead to a crucial weekend match against New England Revolution, with a chance to move up from fourth to third place in the table.

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