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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were defeated, 5-3, by the Chicago Fire in a wild mid-week matchup at Chase Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Playing in their sixth game in 18 days, Inter Miami found itself down 3-1 at halftime. Two goals by Luis Saurez in the second half tied up the game at three goals apiece, but Chicago surged past the Herons with goals in the 80th and 83rd minute to prevail in the matchup of playoff teams.
With the win, the Chicago Fire clinched a postseason berth, ending the league’s longest playoff drought (2017 was the club’s last playoff appearance). Inter Miami — which sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference — secured its playoff spot with a win over New York City FC on Sept. 24, but missed an opportunity on Tuesday night to close the gap on the Supporters’ Shield leaders, the Philadelphia Union.
Messi was held scoreless in the contest, but continues to hold a slim lead in the league’s Golden Boot race. Messi’s 24 goals is outpacing Los Angeles FC‘s Denis Bouanga (23 goals) and Nashville SC‘s Sam Surridge (22).
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from the Inter Miami-Chicago Fire game:
Brian Gutiérrez gave Chicago a two-goal lead in the 83rd minute with an impressive strike that Inter Miami goalkeeper Óscar Ustari had no chance of saving.
The Chicago Fire clinch a playoff berth if they can hold on against Messi and Co.
Just a few short minutes after Luis Saurez tied the game and give Inter Miami hope of a dramatic comeback victory, Justin Pledger Reynolds tapped in a pass off assists by Mauricio Pineda and Brian Gutiérrez as Chicago retook the lead in the 80th minute.
It’s a wild one in Fort Launderdale.
Inter Miami 3, Chicago Fire 3: Luis Suarez scores again to tie the match
Inter Miami has tied the match.
Inter Miami’s fortune is starting to turn. Luis Suarez scored in the 57th minute and their deficit is back to one. Looks like Inter Miami’s found a way to revive themselves at halftime.
Messi off the right post, then Allende off the crossbar during the 52nd minute. Inter Miami missed two chances shortly after the second half began. Messi could not believe it.
Messi and Inter Miami’s older stars remain on the pitch, but the club made made three substitutions to start the second half. Baltazar Rodríguez, Ian Fray and Tadeo Allende are in. Tadeo Segovia, Marcelo Weigandt and Tomás Avilés are out.
Chicago Fire 3, Inter Miami 1: Halftime update
The Chicago match is Inter Miami’s sixth game in 17 days (since Sept. 13), and the first of four remaining regular season matches before the MLS Cup playoffs begin on Oct. 22. Meanwhile, Chicago has played just seven games since Aug. 16.
Inter Miami is feeling the fatigue of an overworked season where they’ve played in 48 total matches (53 including preseason) – both figures are more than any other MLS club in 2025.
Messi is the MLS Golden Boot leader with 24 goals and the league-lead with 38 overall goal contributions for Inter Miami, but Inter Miami has been unable to weather Chicago’s Fire in this one. Inter Miami defender Tomás Avilés scored on a quirky sequence after a Messi corner kick, only to see their side trail by two again just before halftime.
Chicago’s Rominigue Kouamé scored in the 43rd minute, and Inter Miami’s night just keeps getting worse.
The easiest explanation for this performance from Inter Miami outside of poor goalkeeping: This is Inter Miami’s sixth match since Sept. 13, while this is Chicago’s seventh match since August 16.
Inter Miami has responded as defender Tomás Avilés scored a putback goal after a corner kick from Messi in the 39th minute. Aviles finished the score after a miss by Gonzalo Lugan. No assist from Messi, but Inter Miami has narrowed its deficit.
Chicago has doubled its lead as Jonathan Dean scored his first goal of the season. It’s going to be a long night for Messi and Inter Miami.
Your eyes didn’t deceive you. Messi lined up for a second free kick, and missed again. This opportunity came after it appeared Sergio Busquets was kicked in the head in the 24th minute.
Lionel Messi’s free kick in the 20th minute was on target, but saved by Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady.
Lionel Messi could only sigh in disgust: Chicago’s Dje D’Avilla scored a header on a set piece in the 11th minute, creating an early deficit for Inter Miami.
Yes, Messi is in the Inter Miami starting lineup for the Chicago match.
The match will be on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+.
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire betting odds, per BETMGM
- Inter Miami: -185
- Draw: +375
- Chicago: +360
- Over/under: 3.5 goals
What to know about Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire?
Inter Miami is ranked fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference with 56 points, behind the Philadelphia Union (63), FC Cincinnati (59) and New York City FC (56). Inter Miami has had three wins, a loss and a draw since Sept. 13.
Chicago – led by former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter – is vying for the ninth and final playoff spot in the East with 48 points entering the match. The Fire have won five of their last seven matches since August, including three of four victories in September.
Inter Miami has an outside chance to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the second straight season, but needs a victory to maintain ground in the MLS standings.
Philadelphia Union is in the lead with 63 points. If they win their two remaining games, they would max out with 69 points.
If Inter Miami wins their last four games, they would max out with 68 points.
So, there’s still a chance if the Union drops a match, and Inter Miami wins out.
Here is Lionel Messi’s schedule with Inter Miami through the end of the 2025 MLS season after the Chicago match.
- Oct. 4: Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Oct. 10: Argentina vs. Venezuela, 8 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Miami)
- Oct. 11: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Oct. 13: Puerto Rico vs. Argentina, 7 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Chicago)
- Oct. 18: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, 6 p.m. ET
Note: It’s unclear whether Messi will join Argentina for two upcoming friendly matches in the United States.
Messi and Inter Miami already clinched a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs. Here are key playoff dates to know:
- Oct. 22: Wild Card Matches
- Oct. 24–Nov. 9: Round One (Best-of-3 Series)
- Nov. 22-23: Conference Semifinals
- Nov. 29-30: Conference Finals
- Dec. 6: MLS Cup final