Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a thrilling match against Al Ahly that ended in a surprising 0-0 draw. The game took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, where fans witnessed a lively second half after a quieter first half.
In the opening 45 minutes, Al Ahly had the upper hand. They created several chances but were repeatedly thwarted by Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari. The highlight of the first half came when Al Ahly’s Trezeguet took a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. Ustari made a fantastic save, keeping the score level as the teams headed into halftime.
The second half saw a noticeable change in Inter Miami’s performance. They came out with more energy and determination. Messi, who had been relatively quiet earlier, began to make his presence felt. He nearly scored with a long-range shot that hit the crossbar, and Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, had to stretch to tip the ball away.
Inter Miami’s first real opportunity came shortly after the break when Tadeo Allende was denied by another impressive save from El Shenawy. The momentum had shifted, and Miami looked like a different team. Messi continued to threaten, hitting the side netting with a free kick and creating chances for his teammates.
Despite the pressure from Inter Miami, Al Ahly still had their moments. They had a few close calls, but Ustari’s performance kept them at bay. Inter’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, praised his goalkeeper, stating that they were only "alive" in the game thanks to Ustari’s saves.
Al Ahly’s manager, Jose Riviera, reflected on the match, acknowledging that his team had opportunities in the first half but failed to capitalize. He noted the strong support from their fans, which felt like playing at home, and expressed hope for a better performance in their next match.
As the tournament progresses, Inter Miami will face Porto in their next match, while Al Ahly will take on Palmeiras. The draw leaves both teams with work to do as they aim for success in this prestigious competition.