Lionel Messi wastes chances as Inter Miami draws with Chicago Fire

In a key Eastern Conference match, Inter Miami faced off against the Chicago Fire on Sunday, April 13, 2025. The venue hosted a record crowd of 62,358, eager to see the highly anticipated clash. Despite Lionel Messi's presence on the field, he struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Throughout the match, he had four significant chances, including three free kicks, with one striking the crossbar and others missing the target narrowly. Despite this, both teams ended in a scoreless draw, which allowed Inter Miami to remain unbeaten in their last seven matches, including four wins and three draws. Chicago Fire's goalkeeper Chris Brady became an instrumental figure by making several key saves, keeping the scoreline at zero. For Miami, Oscar Ustari was equally impressive with seven saves, demonstrating a strong defensive performance from both sides. The Fire, who had suffered injuries and fielded a less-than-full roster, still managed to create chances, with Jonathan Bamba hitting the post late in the match but ultimately could not find the back of the net. The results leave Inter Miami (4-0-3) in second place in the Eastern Conference, while Chicago Fire (3-2-3) currently stands in sixth. The match provided a thrilling atmosphere for fans despite the lack of goals. As the season progresses, both teams look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, hoping to capitalize on their respective performances to improve standings and explore playoff contention later in the year. Following the match, Inter Miami looks to maintain their momentum as they prepare to host Columbus, while Chicago will aim for a bounce-back performance against Cincinnati in their next encounter.