Rodrigo De Paul and Robert Lewandowski clash after Inter Miami draw with Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire and Inter Miami finished level at 1-1 on Wednesday, but a contest featuring Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Casemiro and Rodrigo De Paul ended with attention fixed on a late confrontation rather than the scoreline.
Lewandowski had put his team in front with an impressive volley, providing the evening’s first major moment of quality. Miami responded through Casemiro, who climbed above the defence to power in a header from a precisely delivered Messi corner.
With neither side able to find a further goal, the match appeared set to conclude with the points shared. Instead, tempers flared during the closing stages when De Paul and Lewandowski became involved in a heated exchange.
De Paul was reported to have challenged the Polish forward by referring to his own international achievements, saying: “Who are you, fool? I won two Copa Americas and a World Cup. And you?” Lewandowski reacted by shoving the Argentine midfielder, prompting players from both sides to become involved in a larger on-field melee.
The clubs will now wait for the referee’s written report from the match. The incident could lead to retrospective sanctions or financial penalties for players and teams involved in the late disorder.
