MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — An eagerly anticipated clash in the Club World Cup saw Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly drawing to a goalless conclusion on Saturday evening, moments away from a dramatic finish.
Lionel Messi, a revered figure in the football world with eight Ballon d’Or titles, seemed ready to carve out a memorable victory. In a breathtaking finish to the match, he unleashed a remarkable curling shot destined for the top corner during the sixth minute of added time. However, the spectacle of a late winner was thwarted as Al Ahly’s vigilant goalkeeper, Mohamed Elshenawy, expertly deflected the ball onto the crossbar. Earlier in the second half, Messi had struck the post with a free kick, adding to the near misses.
Throughout the encounter, Inter Miami experienced their share of fortune, managing to survive an initial wave of intense pressure from Al Ahly, the 12-time champions of Africa. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari played a pivotal role after preventing Trezeguet from capitalizing on a penalty just before halftime.
KEY MOMENT
Inter Miami’s seasoned Argentine goalkeeper, Ustari, was crucial in maintaining the scoreline during the first half. At the age of 38, he delivered several key saves against a determined Al Ahly attack. A key moment came right before the break, when Ustari saved a 43rd-minute penalty from Trezeguet and, showcasing remarkable reflexes, he quickly blocked the ensuing rebound.
TAKEAWAYS
The deadlock leaves both sides needing to fight for advancement from Group A, with challenging games against Brazil’s Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto expected to follow. From the group, only the top two teams will secure a place in the round of 16.
For Miami, there are positives to draw from their performance, particularly in the second half, after being outclassed earlier. The team started making significant threats post-intermission, highlighted by Messi’s two narrowly-missed scoring opportunities.
WHAT THEY SAID
“It was a thrilling match for football enthusiasts. This new competition allows us a chance to tackle clubs we don’t usually encounter, proving what we’re capable of on the international stage,” remarked Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano.
“The result leaves us disappointed. We could have claimed all three points. While we have a lot of respect for Inter Miami and their star-studded squad, we had the chance to seal the victory in the first half, potentially scoring three or four goals,” said Wessam Abou Ali, an Al Ahly forward.