Lionel Messi nearly stole the show with a breathtaking stoppage-time strike, but Inter Miami settled for a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly in the opening match of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium. The Group A clash, following a lavish opening ceremony, delivered high drama but no goals.
Messi, receiving a short corner in the sixth minute of added time, curled a trademark left-footed shot toward the top corner, only for Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy to produce a stunning fingertip save.
From the resulting corner, taken by Luis Suarez, Maximiliano Falcon’s header was also denied by Elshenawy, and Al Ahly’s failed counter-attack led to the final whistle, leaving both teams with a point each.
Al Ahly dominated the first half, with Emam Ashour missing an early chance set up by Trezeguet, only to be thwarted by Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Ashour’s injury five minutes later did little to slow Al Ahly’s momentum.
A goal from Wassam Abou Ali was disallowed for offside on the half-hour mark, and Ustari shone again, saving a header from Achraf Dari and a penalty from Trezeguet just before halftime.
Inter Miami found their footing after the break, with Messi testing Elshenawy from distance on 57 minutes and grazing the post with a low free-kick shortly after the hour. In the 85th minute, substitute Fafa Picault’s header from a Messi-inspired move was brilliantly saved by Elshenawy, preserving the deadlock.
The tournament continues with Bayern Munich facing Auckland City FC in Group C, while Group B features Paris Saint-Germain against Atletico Madrid and Palmeiras versus FC Porto.
The day concludes with Botafogo taking on Seattle Sounders in Group B.
Total waste of time this ball