Inter Miami and Chicago Fire played out a 1-1 draw at Soldier Field on Wednesday, but the late drama between Rodrigo De Paul and Robert Lewandowski added another talking point to an already intense MLS match. The confrontation came in the 88th minute, during a tense spell when Chicago were pushing aggressively and trying to protect a point.
Andrew Gutman had brought De Paul down as the hosts pressed forward, before Chicago dropped into a 4-4-2 shape to defend. Soon after, Lewandowski was shoved inside the Miami penalty area, and tempers rose between the players.
Este intercambio de palabras entre Rodrigo De Paul y Lewandowski 👀🔥
(vÃa MLS por Apple TV) pic.twitter.com/luepiNEFLd
— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) September 10, 2026
De Paul and Lewandowski then became involved in a heated exchange. The exact reason for the confrontation is unclear, but it came as both teams battled through the closing stages of the game.Â
Lewandowski and the Inter Miami player got into it. 😳 pic.twitter.com/eOA7NC3Abo
— Kalshi FC (@KalshiFC) September 10, 2026
Lewandowski Puts Chicago Fire Ahead
The Polish striker had already made his presence felt long before the late incident.
Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 10th minute, continuing his impressive run in front of goal. Andrew Gutman created the opportunity after cleverly changing direction to make space before sending a cross towards the back post.
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI.
The heavyweights are going at it and Lewandowski hits first. 🥊 pic.twitter.com/XmEttvXxGo
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 10, 2026
Lewandowski finished the move by elevating his right leg and converting the chance to put Chicago ahead.
The goal was the 38-year-old’s sixth in nine MLS appearances and his third consecutive match with a goal.
Inter Miami struggled to find an immediate response, although Lionel Messi came close in the first half. His effort from outside the box in the 23rd minute was comfortably saved by Chris Brady, before the Chicago goalkeeper produced a more difficult stop on Messi in the 41st minute.
Casemiro Levels It for Inter Miami
Miami eventually found their equaliser shortly after half-time.
Just one minute after Noah Allen produced a goal-saving clearance to deny German Berterame, Inter Miami won a corner. Messi delivered the set piece and Casemiro rose to head the ball home in the 48th minute.
The Brazilian has now scored in three consecutive matches.
Brady remained busy for Chicago and finished with six saves, while Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made two stops.
The result extended Chicago’s unbeaten run to seven matches, with the Fire recording their fourth consecutive draw. They now have 39 points from a 11-6-6 record.
Inter Miami moved to 44 points with a 12-4-8 record, although their recent run remains less convincing, with the club going 1-2-4 across its last seven matches.
The match also attracted a club-record crowd of 63,094 at Soldier Field.
With the game ending level, Lewandowski’s early goal and the late confrontation with De Paul became two of the biggest talking points from a night that had plenty of tension until the final whistle.
(With inputs from Reuters)
