The highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup 2025 kicked off with a surprising result as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The match, played at a packed Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 14, 2025, marked the start of the expanded 32-team tournament, but failed to deliver the expected goalscoring spectacle.
Al Ahly dominated significant portions of the game, particularly in the first half. The reigning African champions showcased their intent early on, creating several clear-cut chances. Their biggest opportunity came in the 43rd minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, Mahmoud Trezeguet's effort was brilliantly saved by Inter Miami's veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, who proved to be a formidable barrier throughout the match. Al Ahly also had a goal disallowed earlier in the first half due to an offside.
Inter Miami, featuring a star-studded lineup including Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets, struggled to find their rhythm in the initial stages. The team appeared to grow into the game after the break, with Messi showing glimpses of his brilliance. In the 64th minute, Messi almost broke the deadlock with a long-range effort that forced a good save from Al Ahly's goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy. Later in the second half, Fafa Picault came close to scoring with a header, but El Shenawy was equal to the task, denying Inter Miami the winning goal.
The match was not without its dramatic moments. In the dying moments of the game, Messi delivered a free kick into the box that Picault headed towards goal, only to be denied by El Shenawy. Messi almost scored in the 95th minute, but El Shenawy tipped the ball onto the post. Overall, both goalkeepers delivered outstanding performances, with Ustari earning the Man of the Match award for his penalty save and numerous other crucial stops. El Shenawy was equally impressive in the second half, ensuring that Al Ahly secured a well-deserved point.
The result leaves both teams with one point each in Group A. The expanded Club World Cup format sees 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the round of 16. From there, a single-elimination knockout stage will determine the champion. Inter Miami faces a challenging group that also includes Palmeiras and Porto. Al Ahly will play Palmeiras next, while Inter Miami will face Porto.
This edition of the FIFA Club World Cup marks a new era for the competition. For the first time, 32 clubs from six confederations are competing for the title, with a staggering $1 billion USD in prize money up for grabs. The tournament, taking place across 12 venues in 11 cities in the United States, promises a month of exciting football as teams battle it out to be crowned the best club team in the world.
