Inter Miami Held by Al Ahly in Club World Cup Opener

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against African giants Al Ahly on Saturday night at a packed Hard Rock Stadium.

Despite a raucous crowd of 60,927 fans filling the NFL venue in Miami, Messi and company were unable to break down a disciplined Al Ahly side, who nearly snatched a win themselves in a frantic first half.

The best chance of the match fell to Messi in the dying seconds, his curling effort from the edge of the box touched onto the crossbar by the outstretched hand of Mohamed El Shenawy. Earlier, the Argentine icon had also come close with a trademark free kick that grazed the outside of the post.

Miami, however, were fortunate to reach halftime level. Al Ahly started brightly, dominating large portions of the first 45 minutes and earning a penalty after Zizo was brought down by Telasco Segovia. Trézéguet stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved brilliantly by veteran keeper Óscar Ustari, who stood tall to keep the scoreboard blank.

Ustari’s heroics proved vital for Inter, who found their rhythm in the second half and began to control possession. A well-placed cross from Messi found Fafà Picault with six minutes remaining, but his header was tipped over the bar in yet another crucial intervention from El Shenawy.

“We leave with a sense that we could’ve won,” Ustari said post-match. “We’re a young team still growing, and just being part of a Club World Cup is already historic for this club.”

Al Ahly, boosted by tens of thousands of passionate supporters, looked right at home in Miami. Forward Wessam Abou Ali expressed frustration at the missed opportunity: “We respect Inter Miami, but we could’ve ended the game in the first half. We had the chances.”

Miami head coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged a sluggish start but praised his team’s response. “We improved a lot in the second half,” he told DAZN. “We were calmer, moved the ball better, and created opportunities. It’s a tournament of details, and we must keep improving.”

With the 0-0 result, Inter Miami will now turn their attention to a crucial clash against FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta. Al Ahly, meanwhile, head to New York for a marquee matchup with Palmeiras, as their traveling supporters look set to light up another American venue.

While the goals were missing, the atmosphere was anything but dull in Miami’s first taste of Club World Cup action — and Messi’s pursuit of yet another international title remains alive.