Robert Lewandowski stole the limelight from Lionel Messi with a brilliant goal and a verbal spat with Rodrigo De Paul as the Chicago Fire secured a 1-1 draw with Inter Miami. A crowd of over 63,000 at Soldier Field was treated to a tetchy encounter lit up initially by Lewandowskis brilliant volley that put the home side ahead after nine minutes. The Pole found space at the far post and acrobatically fired into the left-hand corner although credit must also go to Andrew Gutman for a superb cross from the left.Miami responded well and Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady made three good saves, the best of which saw him get down low to deny German Berterame in the 16th minute.Brady started the second half the same way, keeping out a Messi effort while former Miami defender Noah Allen also distinguished himself with a goal-saving tackle. But the hosts could not repel the subsequent corner from Messi with Casemiro heading home.Table of ContentsDe Paul mocks Lewandowski but ends up looking the foolHoyos feels Miami deserved the winDe Paul mocks Lewandowski but ends up looking the foolThe two teams traded chances before they then traded insults.The spark was a push by Lewandowski on Fire defender Ian Fray. Fray responded with a push of his own, prompting other players to get involved, including De Paul who shouted in Lewandowskis face: Who are you, dummy? Ive won two Copas Amrica and a World Cup. You?The actions of De Paul, who was a key part of Argentinas lamentable behaviour during the World Cup, actually diffused the situation with players from both sides finding his intervention comical.The draw saw Miami cut their deficit to Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, who lost to Toronto FC earlier in the day, to nine points. Chicago are a further five points back after their fourth successive draw.We still have work to do, and you can see it, Chicago Fire director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter said. We need to get better because we werent in a position to dictate the game for long enough. Were hanging out, and we dont want to be in that position. They have a good team. I dont want to take anything away from their team, but we can do a better job.Hoyos feels Miami deserved the winMiami coach Guillermo Hoyos, who continues to stand in for Kily Gonzalez while he awaits his work visa, hinted his side deserved more from the game.I dont think there was any issue [with the attack] at all. For me, their goalkeeper was the standout player of the match, he said.The goalkeeper is part of the game, after all. We created chances from various areas, but the goalkeeper played his part well. The guys performed very well, excellently, Id say; we just missed out on the result we deserved.Miami play Nashville at the weekend while the Fire take on the New England Revolution. Topics Chicago Fire FC Inter Miami CF Lionel Messi Robert Lewandowski Rodrigo de Paul Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Chicago Fire v Inter Miami: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch as Ballon dOr contender Messi heads to Soldier Field Jon Fisher 9th September, 2026 Messi bags two assists for Inter Miami in first match after Argentina retirement Mitch Fretton 6th September, 2026 Inter Miami v Atlanta United: Preview, line-ups, stats and where to watch Mitch Fretton 4th September, 2026 Argentina to pause league matches following Messi international retirement Nicholas McGee 3rd September, 2026 BREAKING: Lionel Messi retires from international football Mitch Fretton 31st August, 2026 MLS: Messi scores four as Inter Miami end winless run Mitch Fretton 30th August, 2026
