"This team has improved so much", "Another great win without Messi" - Inter Miami fans delighted after hard-fought win over Chicago Fire

Inter Miami fans were impressed by their side's 2-1 win against Chicago Fire, despite being without Lionel Messi. The two MLS sides faced each other at the Chase Stadium on Saturday, July 20.

Messi failed to start for the Herons for the seventh game in a row, with five being due to his involvement in Argentina's 2024 Copa America triumph, while the last two were due to a ligament injury.

However, Inter Miami showed no signs of faltering as they clinched their sixth win in seven games. Matias Rojas broke the deadlock in the sixth minute before Rafael Czichos levelled the scores in the 73rd minute. Fortunately, for the Herons, Barcelona legend Jordi Alba volleyed home two minutes later to seal an important 2-1 win.

Tata Martino and Co. had 49 percent possession compared to Chicago's 51, but they looked much more threatening in attack despite being without Messi. They landed 18 shots in total with nine being on target, while the latter mustered 14 shots (five on target).

One fan reacted by posting:

"Another great win without messi holding my beautiful club back."

Another fan tweeted:

"This team has improved so much. W."

Other fan reactions can be viewed below:

"5pts clear and that’s all that matters, vamos crack !" one fan posted.

"Top of the table….Good job boys," another typed.

"Every trophy is up for grabs and that's the GOAT effect. Kudos boys," one fan tweeted.

"We are cooking," another added.

"The team is flying," one fan pointed out.

"We are winning the league," one fan predicted.

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Inter Miami 2-1 Chicago Fire: Who was the Player of the Match in Lionel Messi's absence?

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami showed great determination to defeat Chicago 2-1 in their MLS fixture on Saturday. They retained their spot at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with 53 points from 25 games, five points ahead of second-placed Cincinnati.

Yannick Bright was named the Player of the Match, boasting a player rating of 8.1 on FotMob. The 22-year-old holding midfielder was instrumental in the Herons' win, completing 35 out of an attempted 38 passes with an accuracy of 92 percent. He also created one big chance, made nine recoveries, won six duels, and made four clearances, as well as three interceptions.

Inter Miami will next face Puebla in the Leagues Cup group stage on Saturday, July 27.