Messi Leads Inter Miami To Scoreless Draw Against Al Ahly

On June 15, 2025, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off with a highly anticipated opening match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, featuring Inter Miami and Egypt's Al Ahly. In front of a packed crowd of over 69,000 fans, Lionel Messi led Inter Miami in a tense, goalless draw against the African powerhouse, marking a dramatic start to the newly expanded tournament.

This edition of the Club World Cup is historic, as it is the first to feature 32 teams from six continents, competing every four years for a staggering total prize pool of approximately one billion dollars. Inter Miami, the host nation's representative and the 2024 Supporters' Shield winner, fielded a star-studded lineup including Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets. Al Ahly, the 2020-21 African Champions League winners and holders of a record 12 Egyptian league titles, brought a well-organized and balanced squad with 11 Egyptian national team players, showcasing their continental dominance.

The match began with Al Ahly asserting early pressure, defying expectations that favored Inter Miami's home advantage and star power. Within minutes, Al Ahly's Wessam Abou Ali broke through for a one-on-one chance, only to be denied by Inter Miami's veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Al Ahly continued to threaten, with Emam Ashour and Trezeguet creating dangerous opportunities, the latter earning a penalty after a foul by Inter Miami defender Nicolas Segovia inside the box in the 43rd minute.

However, Ustari rose to the occasion, making a spectacular save to deny Trezeguet's penalty kick, preserving the deadlock. Ustari's performance was exceptional, as he blocked six shots on target in the first half alone, including a powerful header from Yasser Ibrahim. The referee's use of a body-worn camera provided fans an immersive view of the penalty incident, highlighting the modern technology in play at this tournament.

Despite Al Ahly's dominance in the opening 45 minutes, Inter Miami began to find their rhythm as the half progressed. Messi, donning the captain's armband and playing a free role, dropped deep to link up with Busquets and the midfield. By the end of the first half, Messi had already attempted four shots, including two direct attempts from corner kicks, although none found the back of the net. His left-footed strike in stoppage time rattled the goalpost, signaling his intent.

The second half saw Inter Miami take control of the game. Suarez shifted to the left flank, creating new angles and injecting energy into the attack. Messi's influence grew, with a memorable left-footed free kick in the 19th minute narrowly missing the goal, brushing the side netting. The hosts carved out multiple scoring chances, including a fierce header by Pipa Higuain off a Messi cross in the 39th minute, superbly saved by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

El Shenawy was equally heroic, thwarting several attempts in the closing stages, including a remarkable save in injury time after Messi's curling cross-shot hit his hand and then the crossbar. Even a corner kick header by Maximiliano Farias was denied, maintaining the scoreless stalemate. Al Ahly launched a swift counterattack immediately after, but Inter Miami's defense held firm.

Statistically, Inter Miami dominated possession with 57% compared to Al Ahly's 40%, and outshot their opponents 15 to 10. Yet, the match ended 0-0, a testament to the outstanding goalkeeping and tight defensive play on both sides. The result leaves both teams with one point each in Group A, which also features Portuguese giants FC Porto and Brazil's Palmeiras, who await their group fixtures on June 20 and June 24 respectively.

Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, a former Barcelona teammate of Messi and Suarez, deployed a 4-4-2 formation with the veteran trio spearheading the attack. Despite the draw, the team showed promising signs, especially in the second half when their cohesion and attacking fluidity improved. Al Ahly, despite being considered the underdogs and less globally renowned, proved their mettle with disciplined organization and relentless pressure, embodying their legacy as Africa's most successful club.

The opening match also drew notable football legends to the stands, including Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário, and former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, underscoring the tournament's prestige. Yet, the event faces challenges off the pitch, as FIFA had to reduce ticket prices by 84% to boost attendance, reflecting concerns over the competition's market appeal in the United States.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami must regroup quickly to face FC Porto in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, while Al Ahly will clash with Palmeiras in a crucial Group A encounter earlier that day. Both teams aim to secure one of the two coveted spots for the knockout stage, with the competition's expanded format intensifying the battle for global club supremacy.

In summary, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has launched with a thrilling, tightly contested match that showcased football's global reach and the magnetic presence of Lionel Messi. Though the scoreboard remained blank, the drama, skill, and tension on display set the tone for what promises to be a captivating tournament.