Inter Miami 0-0 draw with Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
Hard Rock Stadium, FL (June 15, 2025) — Lionel Messi led a strong second-half resurgence from Inter Miami in a surprisingly thrilling 0-0 draw with Al Ahly in Group A to open the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
The Argentinian forward, much like the rest of his teammates, had a quiet first half at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly dominated the play and the chances in the opening 45 minutes but were denied on numerous occasions by Inter keeper Oscar Ustari.
39-year-old’s efforts were going to be in vain going in at the break, when Trezeguet stepped up from the spot in the 43rd minute, but Ustari was equal to the Al Ahly threat once more.
Al Ahly keeper Mohamed El Shenawy managed to get fingertips onto Messi’s late left-footed curler.
Wessam Abou Ali and Emam Ashour were both denied from close-range chances, but the big moment came after Zizo cut into the box before being clipped from behind by Telasco Segovia.
Former Premier League player with Aston Villa, Trezeguet, stepped up from the spot and sent his kick to his left – the keeper guessed correctly and made the save.
“I’m happy with the performance. It was much better in the second half,” Mascherano continued in conversation with broadcaster DAZN after the full-time whistle.
“In the first period, we lost some balls and some transitions, where they are very dangerous.
Inter’s first big chance came just a few minutes after the break, when Tadeo Allende was denied with a similarly smothering save from Al Ahly keeper El Shenawy as had been seen by his opposite number early in the piece.
The possession and pressure had clearly switched to the home side, who looked a vastly different side to the showing in the opening 45 minutes.
The second match of the group is played on Sunday between Palmeiras of Brazil and Porto of Portugal.
Inter then face Porto, while Al Ahly face Palmeiras in the next round of fixtures on Thursday.
