The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off on saturday night, but neither side managed to find the back of the net as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Egypt’s Al Ahly in Florida. Messi and his teammates had a subdued first half at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where Al Ahly dominated possession and created the better chances in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Inter goalkeeper Oscar Ustari repeatedly denied the Egyptian side. It seemed the 39-year-old’s efforts might be undone just before the break when Trezeguet stepped up to take a penalty in the 43rd minute. Yet again, Ustari rose to the occasion and thwarted the Al Ahly threat. Miami’s performance improved in the second half, with Messi striking the crossbar from long range. Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy also produced a fine save, getting his fingertips to a late left-footed curler from the Argentine.
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Fans turned out in large numbers at the stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, but Messi was unable to produce a decisive moment. Speaking after the match, Ustari stressed the importance of continual improvement as a team. “We’re a very young team, and some people don’t see it, but Inter made history. They’ve only been developing for a few years, and today they’re playing in the Club World Cup, so we have to value that. “We finish with the feeling that we could have scored, and I think we were superior.
The upcoming opponent will be completely different, so we have to rest and focus on our future.” Inter Miami are set to face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al Ahly, who enjoyed raucous and overwhelming support, will play against Palmeiras in New York, where an even larger turnout of their fans is anticipated.
