Club World Cup Kicks Off with a Thrilling 0–0: Messi’s Magic Meets Al Ahly’s Steel

Inter Miami vs Al Ahly: Two Worlds Collide

The FIFA Club World Cup is officially underway! In the opening match, Inter Miami faced off against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. Inter Miami qualified for the tournament as the winner of the MLS regular season, while Al Ahly booked their spot by triumphing in the CAF Champions League.

This marks Al Ahly’s 10th appearance at the Club World Cup — a true veteran of the competition. They finished third at the previous edition, though the format was very different back then, with only seven teams involved and just one representative from Europe.

While Inter Miami lacks experience at this level, their squad includes global icons like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets, making them the clear favorites. The opening match was also played at their home ground, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Al Ahly Strike First — But Miss Their Chances

From the first minutes, Al Ahly showed they meant business. While Inter Miami attempted slow, possession-based attacks, the Egyptians responded with far more dangerous counterattacks. In the 8th minute, Emam Ashour found himself one-on-one with keeper Óscar Ustari, but shot straight at him.

Al Ahly repeatedly burst into the box, won set pieces, and dictated the tempo. Inter Miami could only respond with inaccurate long-range efforts.

Al Ahly’s head coach, José Riveiro, who has worked across several leagues, opted for a highly physical approach — and it paid off. In the first half, his players simply outran and outmuscled Miami’s aging stars.

In the 33rd minute, Al Ahly came dangerously close to scoring from a corner. New signing Ahmed Sayed whipped the ball into the box where Achraf Dari delivered a powerful header — Ustari barely reacted in time to prevent the goal.

Near the end of the half, Al Ahly earned a penalty after Sayed — who had already been fouled several times — was brought down inside the area. Their talisman Trezeguet (not to be confused with the French namesake) stepped up to take the spot kick. Once again, Ustari made a crucial save.

“We’re still alive thanks to him,” said Javier Mascherano at halftime, referring to the heroics of his goalkeeper.

By halftime, the xG stats told the story: 1.89 for Al Ahly versus 0.06 for Inter Miami. Shots on target? Six to one. That Inter Miami escaped to the break without conceding was nothing short of a miracle.

Messi Responds as Miami Grow into the Game

In the second half, Al Ahly’s physical dominance began to wane. Inter Miami finally started to settle and create.

In the 57th minute, Messi took a shot from outside the box — it was on target but posed no real threat. Moments later, Messi drew defenders in and slipped a brilliant pass to an unmarked Marcelo Weigandt in the box, but the Argentine fired over the bar.

Weigandt had come on in the second half and his presence injected pace and verticality into Miami’s attacks. Still, Messi remained the main source of danger.

In the 65th minute, Messi won a free kick and drove a low shot that flew just inches wide of the post. It looked as though he was about to break the deadlock at any moment.

Goalkeeper Heroics on Both Ends

In the 85th minute, Messi crossed from the left to Fafà Picault, who struck the ball brilliantly on the bounce — but Mohamed El Shenawy somehow clawed it out from under the crossbar.

Then, on the final play of the game, the 95th minute, El Shenawy made another stunning save, this time from a Messi curler aimed at the top-left corner. The Argentine had bent the ball in from the right, seemingly destined to score.

In the end, both goalkeepers were the stars of the night. Just as Ustari kept Inter Miami alive in the first half, El Shenawy ensured Al Ahly held firm in the second.

The match ended 0–0, but it was anything but boring.

A Promising Start for the Tournament

Despite the absence of goals, the Club World Cup opener delivered high-quality football and plenty of drama. Messi looks sharp and motivated, while Al Ahly might just be the tournament’s dark horse.

Next up for the Egyptians: a clash against Palmeiras. And based on this performance, a win is absolutely within their reach. As for Inter Miami, they now face a much tougher test against FC Porto.

Published by Patrick Jane
15.06.2025