Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi shoots at goal from a free kick [Photo credit: Reuters]
Al Ahly held Inter Miami to a 0-0 draw in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup in the early hours of Sunday.
The first match of the new-look 32-team tournament was ushered in by a colourful opening ceremony at the Hard Rock stadium in Florida, but the game was a tale of good goalkeeping on both sides, missed chances, and a late Inter Miami rally led by Lionel Messi.
The 37-year-old Argentine started upfront for Inter Miami alongside Luis Suarez while Al Ahly fielded a strong Egyptian national team contingent, led by Mohamed Elshenawy, veteran goalkeeper, and Mahmoud Trezeguet.
Al Ahly dominated the early exchanges and saw Emam Ashour’s shot saved by Oscar Ustari, while Abou Ali had a goal ruled out for offside.
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Ustari, 38-year-old veteran Argentina goalkeeper named player of the match, produced point blank saves to keep the score level at halftime, including saving Trezeguet’s penalty-kick in the 43rd minute.
Inter improved afterwards, with Suarez denied by a goal-line clearance before the break, while Tadeo Allende was denied by Elshenawy early in the second period.
Both sides continued to threaten without finding the final pass, but Inter went closest to grabbing all three points with a late rally.
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Elshenawy however proved equal to the task. The 36-year-old expertly tipped over Fafa Picault’s header, pushed Messi’s overhit cross onto the bar, and denied Falcon with his head in the final seconds of the match.
Both sides have one point apiece in Group A of the tournament.
