The much-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup got underway in Florida on Saturday night with Inter Miami and Egyptian giants Al Ahly battling to a goalless draw in a pulsating Group A encounter that saw moments of brilliance but no breakthrough on the scoresheet. The clash, witnessed by a crowd of 60,927 at the Hard Rock Stadium, featured global football icon Lionel Messi, whose last-minute heroics were thwarted by a stunning save.
Despite the absence of goals, the match did not fall short of drama or entertainment. Messi came closest to securing a dream debut in the competition when his trademark curling shot from outside the box in stoppage time was acrobatically tipped onto the crossbar by Al Ahly’s veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, denying the Argentine maestro a late winner for the MLS side.
Inter Miami had to dig deep, especially in the second half, as they pushed relentlessly for a breakthrough. They almost snatched victory again in the dying seconds, when substitute Maxi Falcon’s powerful header was miraculously kept out by El Shenawy, whose performance between the sticks kept the Egyptian side alive throughout the encounter.
Al Ahly, cheered on by a vociferous contingent of over 10,000 fans who painted parts of the Miami stadium red, had their own golden opportunity earlier in the game. A first-half penalty awarded after Trezeguet was fouled inside the box could have given them the lead, but the Egypt international saw his effort saved by Inter Miami’s Argentine shot-stopper Oscar Ustari, who was solid throughout the contest.
The Egyptians, record 12-time CAF Champions League winners and 45-time Egyptian Premier League champions, began the match with real intent, dominating early proceedings and creating several clear chances. Emam Ashour came close to scoring early on after a slick build-up involving Trezeguet, while Palestinian international Wessam Abou Ali saw his 31st-minute effort ruled out for offside. Moments later, the Denmark-born striker forced another top save from Ustari with a blistering shot from range.
Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller expressed admiration for the overwhelming support his team received in the United States, stating that the atmosphere felt like a home fixture. “It was like we were playing in Cairo, and that was a surprise for me in my first official match with Al Ahly. To be here in the States and have it like you were playing at home is something that can probably only happen with this club,” he said.
For FIFA, the global football body spearheading the revamped 32-team format of the Club World Cup, the smooth opening night was a welcome relief amid widespread skepticism over the expansion of the tournament. Despite fears of low turnout and concerns over crowd control, especially after chaotic scenes at past events hosted at the same venue, the organisation delivered a near-flawless opening.
Security protocols and ticket screening systems were reportedly efficient, with no major incidents recorded, in contrast to last year’s chaotic Copa America final held at the same stadium, which was marred by delayed entries and breaches.
While the match ended without a goal, it laid down a strong marker for the rest of the tournament. The pace, intensity, and quality of football on display showed that the global audience can expect competitive showdowns in the days ahead. For Messi and Inter Miami, the journey in the Club World Cup is far from over, but Saturday night proved that both African and American clubs are ready to leave their mark on football’s global stage.
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