Inter Miami and Al Ahly tie in Club World Cup: Ustari shines, Messi close

Inter Miami and Al Ahly Tie in Club World Cup Opener

Inter Miami and Al Ahly played to a scoreless draw in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup, in front of a large crowd at Hard Rock Stadium. The match, which marked the beginning of a new era for the tournament, left mixed feelings and an unexpected hero. The Egyptian team Al Ahly had the clearest opportunity to go ahead on the scoreboard, but a penalty executed by Trézéguet was saved by Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, who emerged as the figure of the match. Lionel Messi, starting in the match after playing with Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers, showed glimpses of his quality, but failed to break the tie. A free kick of his was close to scoring, and he almost assisted Fafà Picault in a header that was deflected, in addition to a shot at the end of the match that hit the crossbar.

Despite the lack of goals, FIFA celebrated the stadium attendance. More than 60,000 fans witnessed the opening match of the expanded tournament, exceeding initial expectations.

Ustari eclipses Messi and Suárez

When a team has figures like Messi and Luis Suárez, it’s unusual for someone else to steal the spotlight. However, goalkeeper Oscar Ustari stole the show against Al Ahly.

In the first half, Ustari made four crucial saves to prevent Al Ahly from taking the lead. His performance culminated in the saving of a penalty, securing the tie for Inter Miami. Ustari, who joined Inter Miami in September 2024, became the starting goalkeeper after Drake Callender’s injury. His performance, with eight saves in total, exposed the team’s defensive weaknesses, but demonstrated his worth on a global stage.

The new era of the Club World Cup began with a tense draw between Inter Miami and Al Ahly.

Al Ahly Misses Chances

Al Ahly dominated the first half but failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Emam Ashour had a clear chance, and a goal by Wessam Abou Ali was disallowed for offside. Ustari’s penalty save just before halftime frustrated the aspirations of the Egyptian team. Al Ahly will regret the missed opportunities, as Group A presents a tough competition. To advance, they will need to beat Palmeiras or Porto. After this draw, the path becomes complicated for the Egyptian team.

Mixed atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium

FIFA was satisfied with the attendance at Hard Rock Stadium, despite some empty seats. The presence of thousands of Al Ahly fans, who outnumbered Inter Miami fans, contributed to the festive atmosphere. The event had an atmosphere similar to a preseason game. The players were introduced individually before the start, and at halftime a crossbar challenge was held with football legends and the YouTuber IShowSpeed. The inclusion of the “Ref cam” offered a close perspective of the refereeing decisions, such as the penalty in favor of Al Ahly.