Chicago Fire 1-1 Inter Miami: Messi-assisted Casemiro cancels out Lewandowski opener

Lionel Messi teed up Casemiro to cancel out Robert Lewandowski's goal as Inter Miami drew 1-1 with the Chicago Fire.

Lewandowski gave Chicago the lead in the 10th minute at Soldier Field on Wednesday.

Yet Miami fought back to level in the 48th minute, with Casemiro's equaliser enough to seal a share of the spoils in front of a record crowd.

The 63,094-strong crowd were treated to a stunning opener from Chicago's new superstar striker.

Andrew Gutman delivered a teasing left-wing cross, from which Lewandowski steered home acrobatically on the volley.

Messi, who is in the running for this year's Ballon d'Or, forced Chicago's Chris Brady into a fine save before half-time, but Miami had their leveller when the Argentine great delivered a corner onto the head of Casemiro.

Puso Dithejane went close to winning it for the Fire, who have now drawn four straight MLS games, leaving them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, two spots and five points back from Miami.

Lewandowski on fire for Chicago

Lewandowski has scored six goals in nine games for the Fire.

That is just one short of the all-time club record for a player across their first nine games, with Mike Magee having netted seven in July 2023.

However, Chicago needed their talisman more involved, with Lewandowski only managing the one shot, and just two touches in Miami's box overall.

Messi, meanwhile, laid on yet another assist. 

He previously teed up Casemiro last weekend, with the Brazilian becoming the 16th different team-mate Messi has provided an MLS assist for during his time at Miami.

Messi led the way creatively for Miami, crafting three chances, but he was unusually wasteful when it came to his finishing. The 39-year-old had nine shots (Miami managed 20 in total for a combined 1.37 expected goals), getting four of those on target, but he could not find a way past Brady.