Miami Gardens, June 15: Lionel Messi was denied on a long shot in extra time and Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly settled for a scoreless draw in the opening game of the Club World Cup.
Argentina’s eight-time Ballon d’Or winner kicked a long, curling shot from the right side that was tipped by diving goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy on Saturday night and brushed off the crossbar in the 96th minute front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi also shaved the post with a free kick in the 60th minute in the second half.
Miami had its own good fortune, surviving a first half onslaught by 12-time African champion Al Ahly, with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari saving a penalty from Trezeguet just before the break.
KEY MOMENT
Miami had to rely on veteran Argentine goalkeeper Ustari to keep the game level in the first half, with the 38-year-old pulling off a number of saves as Al Ahly dominated the chances.
He produced a crucial double save just before halftime – blocking Trezeguet’s 43rd-minute penalty and then getting up quickly to deny the forward again on the rebound.
TAKEAWAYS
A draw leaves both teams with a battle to advance from Group A with tougher tests likely to come against Brazilian giant Palmeiras and Porto from Portugal. The top two advance to the round of 16.
Miami can be encouraged by its performance in the second half after being dominated in the first half.
Inter Miami had the better chances after the break, with Messi’s free kick and curling long shot both hitting the woodwork.
WHAT THEY SAID
“It was a good party for football. It’s a new competition and the chance to play teams we don’t play ( normally in our league, so it can be very good for us. You can prove what we can do.” – Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach.
“I’m disappointed with the result. We could have taken all three points. We respect Inter Miami and their big-name players, but we could’ve finished the game in the first half by scoring three or four goals.”
Wessam Abou Ali, Ah Ahly forward. In a match that fizzled rather than flared, the goalless draw between Inter Miami and Al Ahly offered flashes of brilliance, moments of chaos, and the kind of drama one expects from the Club World Cup — but no decisive winner.
Lionel Messi, though well marshalled, nearly summoned magic twice, denied only by the width of the post and a flying Elshenawy.
On the other end, it was Oscar Ustari’s heroics that spared Miami early blushes, turning back the years with a vintage performance in goal.
For both sides, the result was less than ideal, but it leaves everything to play for in a group where powerhouses like Palmeiras and Porto still loom.
The crowd of over 60,000 at Hard Rock Stadium witnessed not just a meeting of continents, but a tense, tactical stalemate where experience met ambition.
As the tournament unfolds, this match may be remembered not for its scoreline, but for the statement both teams made — that they belong on this global stage, ready to go toe-to-toe with the best. (AP)
