MIAMI — In its first match back from the FIFA World Cup break, Inter Miami CF defeated the Chicago Fire 3-2 in a matchup between the second and third place teams in the Eastern Conference.

Miami was without superstars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, as both were given time off to rest after Argentina reached the FIFA World Cup final against Spain.

The match started with constant pressure from Chicago, led by Polish star forward Robert Lewandowski, who made his Major League Soccer debut Wednesday.

Chicago recorded the first shot on goal of the match, but Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made an easy save. He got the start over former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair.

After 15 minutes, Chicago caught Miami on the counterattack and appeared to score, but the goal was waved off for offside.

After sustaining the pressure, Chicago broke through in unusual fashion. Miami left back Ian Fray passed the ball to Ríos Novo, but the Argentine goalkeeper mishit his clearance, and the ball rolled into the net. The play was ruled an own goal.

After conceding, Miami began to attack more aggressively, led by temporary captain Luis Suárez. The pressure resulted in a penalty kick after David Ruiz was brought down in the box by Chicago defender Jack Elliott.

Suárez calmly stepped up to take the penalty, sending his shot to the left. It struck the post and bounced into the net, tying the match at 1-1 before halftime.

The match slowed after the penalty, thanks in part to the hydration break. Both teams looked to control possession for the remainder of the half.

Miami came closest to taking the lead, but Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady made several impressive saves in the 40th minute.

The first half ended in a 1-1 draw.

Miami made no substitutions to start the second half, as its bench was limited because of injuries. Key players Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Luján and Maximiliano Falcón were all sidelined.

The Herons took the lead six minutes into the second half on a brilliant goal by Suárez, giving the Uruguayan striker a brace. The goal was set up by Germán Berterame, who delivered a clever backheel pass that Suárez finished into the back of the net.

Miami stayed on the attack, refusing to settle for a 2-1 lead.

The pressure resulted in a barrage of shots and several corner kicks as the Herons searched for a commanding third goal.

In the 62nd minute, Chicago made a triple substitution that included Lewandowski, ending his MLS debut.

Miami tried to control the match but conceded the equalizer when Lewandowski’s replacement, 21-year-old Puso Dithejane, found the back of the net.

Just three minutes later, Chicago nearly took the lead, but its shot drifted just wide.

As both teams searched for the winning goal, the referee called for the second-half hydration break with 15 minutes remaining.

After sustained pressure, Inter Miami found the game-winning goal through academy product Preston Plambeck. The second-half substitute scored his first MLS goal for the Herons.

Eight minutes of stoppage time were added.

Late in stoppage time, Chicago earned a free kick in a dangerous area as it looked to equalize.

However, the attempt sailed over the crossbar.

Miami held on for a 3-2 victory, spoiling Lewandowski’s highly anticipated MLS debut.

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