Inter Miami 3-2 Chicago Fire — Suárez brace spoils Lewandowski's MLS debut

2026-07-23

Miami
HOME
3-2
Chicago
AWAY
Miami: L. Suárez 27' (PK) / L. Suárez 51' / Plambeck 87'
Chicago: Ríos Novo 18' (OG) / Dithejane 67'

With Messi rested after the World Cup final, Miami edged Chicago 3-2 on Lewandowski's MLS debut; Luis Suárez was the star with a penalty and a slick second.

Suárez double sinks Chicago on Lewandowski's MLS debut

Fresh off the World Cup 2026 final with Argentina, Lionel Messi was rested and did not feature. Inter Miami still took care of their first game back after the World Cup break. For the visitors, it was the night 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski — signed from Barcelona — made his MLS debut. But the star turned out to be Miami's other veteran, Luis Suárez.

First half — an own goal, then Suárez levels from the spot

Chicago struck first. In the 18th minute Miami defender Ian Fray rolled a slow back-pass to goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, and the ball slipped through the keeper's legs and in — an own goal that put the Fire ahead. Miami hit back on 27 minutes, Suárez calmly converting a penalty to make it 1-1 at the break.

Second half — Suárez strikes again, Dithejane replies

On 51 minutes Suárez peeled off a brilliant Berterame backheel and finished a slick give-and-go to put Miami 2-1 up. But in the 67th, Chicago substitute Puso Dithejane of South Africa drilled home his first MLS goal to level at 2-2.

Late drama — substitute Plambeck wins it; a muted debut for Lewandowski

In the 87th minute, Miami keeper Chris Brady parried a close-range Suárez shot and substitute Preston Plambeck volleyed home the rebound for the winner — his first MLS goal. Lewandowski, the man everyone came to see, started but came off on 63 minutes for Robin Lod, managing just one shot; his first big moment will have to wait.

Venue: Nu Stadium

Location
Miami, Florida, USA
Capacity
26,700

Inter Miami's new home, opened April 2026. Attendance for this match: 25,123.

Miami

Formation: 4-3-3

Miami formation (4-3-3)

Chicago

Formation: 4-3-3

Chicago formation (4-3-3)
World Cup formations →