Lionel Messi came agonizingly close to a stoppage-time winner, but his Inter Miami side were held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian giants Al Ahly in a vibrant opening match for the revamped 32-team FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday.
A near-capacity crowd of 60,927 at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, saw a match of two distinct halves. African champions Al Ahly dominated the opening period but were repeatedly denied by Inter Miami’s veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, who notably saved a 43rd-minute penalty from Trezeguet to keep the scores level at the break.
Buoyed by Ustari’s heroics, Inter Miami improved significantly in the second half, controlling possession and creating a flurry of late chances. Messi, who had been quiet in the first half and received a knock to his knee, became increasingly influential. He grazed the post with a 25-metre free-kick and later found substitute Fafa Picault with a perfectly weighted cross, whose header was tipped over the bar by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy.
The Argentine superstar almost secured all three points in the dying seconds of stoppage time with a curling strike from outside the box, only for Elshenawy to produce a spectacular fingertip save that deflected the ball onto the crossbar.
The festive atmosphere, bolstered by a massive and vocal contingent of Al Ahly supporters, provided a positive start for the expanded month-long tournament, which is being held across the United States. No incidents were reported following earlier unrelated protests several miles from the stadium.
Both teams take a point from the Group A clash. Inter Miami will next face Portuguese side FC Porto in Atlanta on Thursday, while Al Ahly will take on Brazilian champions Palmeiras in New York. The tournament continues on Sunday with Champions League winners Paris St-Germain facing Atletico Madrid.
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