The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off with a thrilling goalless draw between Inter Miami and African giants Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday night. Despite the absence of goals, the match delivered drama, high-quality chances, and heroic goalkeeping performances from Mohamed El Shenawy and Oscar Ustari.
It was Al Ahly who started on the front foot, dictating the tempo in the first half. The Egyptian powerhouse created several threatening moments, with their best chance coming in the 43rd minute when Trezeguet stepped up for a penalty. However, Inter Miami shot-stopper Oscar Ustari guessed correctly, diving low to his left to deny the effort and keep the match scoreless.
Inter Miami, led by Argentine icon Lionel Messi, grew into the game in the second half. Messi nearly broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a signature curling free kick that skipped just wide, grazing the side netting and drawing gasps from the home crowd.
As the match wore on, Inter Miami intensified the pressure, forcing El Shenawy into a string of late saves. The Egyptian captain’s finest moment came in the sixth minute of stoppage time when he tipped a high, looping shot from Messi onto the crossbar in what could have been a stunning match-winner.
Fafa Picault also came close in the 85th minute, heading a Messi cross just over the bar. Inter Miami dominated late on, winning three corners in stoppage time, but Al Ahly’s defence, marshalled by El Shenawy, stood firm.
In a game defined by narrow margins and goalkeeping brilliance, both teams earned a point in Group A, which also features Brazil’s Palmeiras and Portugal’s FC Porto.
Match Stats:
🔹 Possession: Inter Miami 58% – Al Ahly 42%
🔹 Shots: Inter Miami 15 – Al Ahly 10
🔹 Saves: Inter Miami 8 – Al Ahly 5
🔹 Corners: Inter Miami 9 – Al Ahly 4
🔹 Fouls: Inter Miami 10 – Al Ahly 11
What’s Next:
Inter Miami faces FC Porto in Atlanta on Thursday, while Al Ahly travel north to take on Palmeiras in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
[…] Al Ahly Frustrate Messi’s Inter MiamiEgyptian giants Al Ahly opened their campaign with a gutsy 0-0 draw against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium. Trezeguet missed a first-half penalty for the Cairo side, while goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made several key saves, including a stunning late stop to deny Messi in stoppage time.👉 Read match report here […]