Messi-less Inter Miami’s playoff hopes fade after Chicago rout

MIAMI: Missing Lionel Messi again, Inter Miami’s hopes of squeezing into the MLS playoffs suffered a body blow on Wednesday with a 4-1 defeat to Chicago Fire. The defeat leaves Miami next to bottom of the Eastern Conference and five points off the last playoff spot with just three games remaining and its destiny no longer in their own hands. The prospect of seeing the Argentine World Cup winner in action drew a record home crowd of 62,124 to Soldier Field in Chicago but with no Messi, it was Chicago’s own diminutive number ten who put on the show. Swiss former Liverpool and Bayern Munich playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice with his compatriot Maren Haile-Selassie also grabbing a brace. Chicago’s win strengthens its chances of making the post-season for the first time since 2017, moving it up to eighth place. Agencies

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