Inter Miami defeated the Chicago Fire 3-2 on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in a Major League Soccer match that marked the debut of Robert Lewandowski. While Lionel Messi was absent, Luis Suárez scored twice and academy product Preston Plambeck netted the late winner to extend Miami’s winning streak to five matches.
Inter Miami Secures Victory Without Messi
Inter Miami CF continued its strong form in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday night, despite the absence of superstars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul. Both players are currently on leave following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final against Spain, a match that concluded just four days prior to the fixture against the Chicago Fire.
Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos defended the decision to grant his stars extended time away from the pitch, emphasizing that the physical and mental toll of the tournament was significant. A World Cup is something immense, and there’s physical and mental wear and tear, and they deserve their space,
Hoyos said after the match. We’ll be waiting for them whenever they can come back and are in the right condition to be here.
Robert Lewandowski’s MLS Debut
The match served as the highly anticipated debut for Robert Lewandowski, the 37-year-old Polish striker who joined Chicago from Barcelona. While he showed glimpses of his quality, he was unable to find the back of the net, and his side ultimately failed to secure a result.
Reflecting on his first appearance in American soccer, Lewandowski acknowledged that he is still adapting to his new environment.
He added that the team’s defensive lapses were a primary concern, noting, I also need a bit more time, and I’m sure that next time we’ll play with fewer mistakes than today in defense.
A Match of Errors and Late Heroics
The game began with an unusual incident in the 18th minute. The keeper, making his first start since March 14, attempted to clear a backpass from teammate Ian Fray but missed the ball entirely, allowing it to roll into the net.
Miami responded through Luis Suárez, who captained the squad in Messi’s absence. Although Chicago’s Puso Dithejane leveled the score at 2-2 in the 67th minute with a first-touch shot, Miami secured the win in the 87th minute. Preston Plambeck, a 20-year-old academy graduate, scored the decisive goal by volleying home a rebound after a shot from Suárez was parried by Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady.
Next Steps for Chicago and Miami
The loss leaves the Chicago Fire at 8-5-2 with 26 points, snapping their three-game winning streak. For Lewandowski, the focus shifts to finding better cohesion with his new teammates as the season progresses.
Inter Miami continues its campaign on the road, with Lewandowski set to make his next appearance against New York City next Saturday. Miami, meanwhile, remains in a strong position to contend for the Eastern Conference title, having demonstrated an ability to grind out results despite significant absences in their starting lineup.
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