Lionel Messi's Inter Miami failed to secure a victory in their opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup, settling for a goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The African champions started the match with impressive intensity, creating several promising opportunities that tested Inter Miami's defense. However, they were repeatedly denied by the outstanding performance of Inter goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Ustari's defining moment came in the first half when he saved Trezeguet's penalty, first palming away the initial attempt before gathering the weak rebound to keep the scores level.
Messi Comes Alive in Second Half
The Argentine superstar became more influential after the break, orchestrating several dangerous attacks for the MLS side. In one notable sequence, Messi created a chance for teammate Tadeo Allende, whose powerful attempt from close range was expertly smothered by Al Ahly goalkeeper El Shenawy.
Messi himself came close to breaking the deadlock with a venomous strike from the edge of the penalty area that forced another smart save from El Shenawy. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner later curled a low 35-yard free-kick around the wall, but it nestled into the side netting.
Despite the star-studded lineup of the American side, Al Ahly's disciplined defensive performance earned them a valuable point in the tournament opener.
What's Next in the Tournament
Inter Miami will look to bounce back when they face Portuguese giants Porto in Atlanta on June 19. Meanwhile, Al Ahly will take on Brazilian champions Palmeiras in New Jersey on the same day as the expanded Club World Cup continues.
The tournament features an expanded format this year, bringing together top clubs from around the world in a prestigious competition hosted across the United States.
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