Goalkeepers shine as Inter Miami and Al Ahly share points in FIFA Club World Cup opener

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is off and running after Saturday’s entertaining but scoreless draw between Inter Miami and Egyptian champions Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

match was a tale of two halves with Al Ahly dominating the first half while Inter Miami and star Lionel Messi were forced to defend. Waves of attacks from the Egyptian side came at Inter Miami in the opening half hour but an outstanding performance from Herons goalkeeper Oscar Ustari somehow kept Ahly from scoring.

New Ahly signing Trezeguet created plenty of danger with he and striker Wessam Abou Ali having clear scoring opportunities denied by Ustari. The Argentine goalkeeper saved his best towards halftime when Ahly attacking midfielder Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” was dragged down and Ahly were awarded a penalty kick. Trezeguet’s powerful spot kick was spectacularly saved by Ustari in the moment of the match.

Abou Ali may have had the save of the first half when he was back on defense to acrobatically clear a lofted shot from Luis Suarez that had Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy clearly beaten.

El Shenawy was then called into action in the second half with a splendid save from Tadeo Allende’s close range effort following a miscommunication in the Ahly defense.

After being dominated in the first half, Miami changed their tactics at halftime and the hosts took control of the match for long stretches. El Shenawy matched Ustari’s first half heroics with an excellent reaction save towards the end of the match after Messi’s cross set up Fafa Picault’s powerful header from eight yards out.

Messi almost snatched all three points for Miami at the end when he curled a clever effort on goal but El Shenawy tipped the ball off the crossbar and over.

Al Ahly continue action in Group A on Thursday when they travel to New Jersey to face Brazilian giants Palmeiras. Inter Miami will next take on FC Porto, also on Thursday.

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