Goalkeepers Steal the Show as Al Ahly and Inter Miami Battle to 0-0 Draw in Club World Cup Opener
The expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ kicked off with an unexpected thriller on Saturday night, as Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. While pre-match anticipation focused heavily on Lionel Messi, it was the goalkeepers from both sides who delivered show-stopping performances to earn their teams a point in the Group A opener.
Despite some initial challenges and skepticism surrounding the tournament’s launch, including early ticket sale reports and competing sporting events, the opening night proved a success, drawing an impressive crowd of 60,927 fans – 93 percent of the stadium’s capacity. The vibrant atmosphere, significantly boosted by the passionate Egyptian diaspora supporting Al Ahly, created a fitting backdrop for the global showpiece.
A Duel of Goalkeeping Excellence
The storyline of the match was undeniably the battle between the posts. Both Inter Miami veteran Oscar Ustari and Al Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy made a series of crucial saves to keep clean sheets.
Al Ahly applied significant pressure early on, with Inter Miami relying heavily on Ustari’s reflexes. The Argentine keeper, looking in prime form despite his long career, faced wave after wave of attack, making several key interventions. His most decisive moment came just before halftime when he correctly guessed the direction and denied Trezeguet’s penalty kick, awarded after Telasco Segovia’s foul in the box. This stop was widely hailed as the turning point and secured Ustari the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award.
In the second half, it was El Shenawy’s turn to shine. The Al Ahly stopper was equally impressive, making game-saving denials to thwart Inter Miami’s growing attacking threat. He notably smothered a close-range shot from Tadeo Allende and produced a stunning reaction save to turn away Fafa Picault’s header late in the game. Perhaps his most memorable save came deep in stoppage time, leaping high to tip a dangerous long-range curling effort from Lionel Messi over the crossbar, preserving the scoreless tie.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
Beyond the goalkeeping heroics, the match featured moments of drama and intensity:
Al Ahly’s Early Pressure: The Egyptian side started strongly, dominating possession and creating the better chances in the first half.
Disallowed Goal: Al Ahly thought they had taken the lead around the 30-minute mark, but Wessam Abou Ali’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Messi’s Near Misses: While not scoring, Messi had several opportunities, including a free kick that hit the outside of the post and a late shot saved by El Shenawy.
Defensive Plays: Al Ahly’s defense also contributed, with Abou Ali making a crucial bicycle kick clearance off the line to prevent an Inter Miami goal just before halftime.
Physicality: The match saw several yellow cards issued as both teams battled fiercely for control.
Early Injury: Al Ahly suffered a blow early in the game when Emam Ashour was forced off due to an apparent injury.
According to Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro, the team could have “finished the game in the first half by scoring three or four goals,” reflecting their early dominance. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the draw but saw positives, stating he was “happy with the platform” and felt his team was “much better” in periods.
What the Draw Means
Earning one point from the opening match against formidable opposition is seen as a solid start for both teams, particularly for Inter Miami on their Club World Cup debut. MLS Soccer described Ustari’s performance as “lights-out” and the draw as “something to build on,” demonstrating that the Messi-led squad, built for big things, “can compete on the world stage.”
However, with Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras and Portuguese giants FC Porto also competing in Group A, securing three points from matches will be crucial for advancing. The draw leaves the group wide open ahead of the next fixtures.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will be back in action on June 19th for their second Group A matches. Inter Miami travels to Atlanta to face FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, while Al Ahly heads to MetLife Stadium outside New York City to take on Palmeiras.
The opening night, despite its pre-match hiccups and a scoreline suggesting otherwise, delivered a genuinely thrilling contest defined by exceptional goalkeeping, setting a competitive tone for the remainder of the tournament. As FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, the expanded Club World Cup represents a “new era for soccer,” and this opening match proved the competition has a “greater gravitational pull than expected.”
