FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Held By Al Ahly In Curtain Raiser

Last Updated:June 15, 2025, 12:52 IST

The MLS side and the Egyptian heavyweights shared the spoils in the opener of the 32-team group and knockout event.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, right, and Al Ahly's Taher Mohamed compete for the ball during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami in Miami, Fla., Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Al Ahly in the opener of the revamped edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday.

The MLS side and the Egyptian heavyweights shared the spoils in the opener of the 32-team group and knockout event.

Miami were without the services of full-back Jordi Alba and midfielder Yannick Bright in the opener as Javier Mascherano’s men looked to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to make the difference. The Argentine went close multiple times, including a free kick that hit the wrong side of the net before seeing a brilliant curling effort in second-half added time tipped over the bar by the Egyptian outfit’s custodian, Mohamed El Shenawy.

Miami keeper Oscar Ustari saved his side from disappointment in the first half of the game as he managed to keep out the spot kick from Egyptian Trezeguet.

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Inter Miami owner and the recently knighted Sir David Beckham was in attendance at the stadium for the game alongside legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Despite the lack of goals, the match was engaging, with Al Ahly dominating the first half before Miami significantly improved after the interval.

Al Ahly easily broke through Miami’s defence in the opening minutes, and Emam Ashour was denied by Ustari after being set up by Trezeguet.

In the 31st minute, Palestine international striker Wessam Abou Ali’s effort was ruled out for offside, and shortly after, his powerful shot was tipped over by Ustari.

A penalty was awarded when Telasco Segovia fouled Zizo, but Trezeguet’s weak spot kick was parried away, and the former Aston Villa forward couldn’t react quickly enough to the rebound.

Miami showed strength after the break, with Messi nearly scoring in the 64th minute from a free-kick that grazed the post before hitting the side-netting, tricking part of the crowd into thinking he had scored.

Inter Miami Starting XI:

Oscar Ustari, Ian Fray, Tomas Aviles, Maximiliano Falcon, Noah Allen, Tadeo Allende, Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez

Al Ahly Starting XI:

El Shenawy, Koka, Dari, Yasser, Hany, Hamdy, Marawaan, Ben Romdhane, Emam, Trezeguet, Wessam

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