Luis Suárez scored twice in a second consecutive game, making up for the absence of superstar Lionel Messi, to fire Inter Miami to a 4-1 win over the Fire at Soldier Field on Saturday night.

Messi has not stepped on the pitch since injuring his ankle while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final on July 14. He also missed Miami’s trip to Chicago last season when he was injured. The chance to see him this season drew 55,385 spectators.

Fire (6-13-8) put the game away in the 82nd minute when 20-year-old forward Georgios Koutsias scored for the first time this season. The Fire remain tied with Nashville for last in the Eastern Conference with 26 points, five behind Atlanta (31) for the ninth and final playoff spot.

Suárez scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Cincinnati last time out as Inter Miami became the third-fastest team to clinch a playoff spot in a 34-game season. Only Los Angeles FC (25 in 2019 and 2022) and Cincinnati (26 in 2023) have qualified earlier. He scored the earliest goal in club history when he needed just 30 seconds to find the net against Cincinnati.

Inter Miami (18-4-5) led 1-0 at halftime thanks to an own goal by Fire defender Tobias Salquist in the 25th minute.

Suarez scored in the first minute of the second half for a two-goal lead and the 37-year-old striker made it 3-0 in the 65th minute with his 16th first-half goal of the season for the club. league. Diego Gómez made the seventh assist on the first goal. Defender Jordi Alba got his eighth assist for the second score, while Sergio Busquets got his sixth.