The highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup 2025 began with a tightly contested 0-0 draw between Inter Miami and Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The match, which drew a crowd of 60,927 fans, saw Lionel Messi denied a late winner by a spectacular save from Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The game was a tale of two halves, with Al Ahly dominating the first 45 minutes and Inter Miami gaining momentum after the break. Al Ahly had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 43rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Telasco Segovia fouled Zizo. However, Miami's veteran Argentine goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, proved equal to the task, making a fine save from Trezeguet's spot-kick. Ustari's heroics earned him Man of the Match honors, as he made a total of eight saves throughout the game, keeping Inter Miami in the contest.
Inter Miami emerged with renewed energy in the second half, creating several scoring chances. In the 64th minute, Messi nearly broke the deadlock with a free-kick that grazed the post and hit the side-netting, momentarily fooling part of the crowd into thinking it had gone in. As the game approached its conclusion, Inter Miami piled on the pressure, seeking a late winner. In the 85th minute, a powerful header from substitute Fafa Picault was tipped over the bar by Al Ahly's goalkeeper El Shenawy.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Messi unleashed a beautiful curling shot from 20 yards out. The ball seemed destined for the top corner, but El Shenawy produced an incredible fingertip save, deflecting it onto the crossbar. The save not only prevented a storybook winner for Messi, but also preserved the draw for the Egyptian side. Moments later, El Shenawy was called into action again, denying Maxi Falcon's header to ensure the match ended goalless.
Despite the draw, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano remained optimistic. He acknowledged that his team could have won the game in the second half and praised their improved performance after the break. He noted that they needed to improve their transitions, as they lost possession too easily in the first half, giving Al Ahly dangerous opportunities. Al Ahly's Spanish coach, Jose Riveiro, felt his team should have capitalized on their first-half dominance and put the game beyond Miami's reach. He commended his team's fans for their support.
The result leaves both teams with one point each in Group A. Inter Miami will face Portuguese side FC Porto in Atlanta on June 19, while Al Ahly will take on Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras on the same day. The tournament debut of Inter Miami has generated immense interest, particularly due to the presence of Lionel Messi. While the Herons were unable to secure a win in their opening match, they demonstrated their ability to compete on the world stage and will look to build on this performance in their upcoming games.
