Goalkeepers steal the show as Messi and Suarez Frustrated in 0-0 draw
MIAMI — The opening clash of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ended in high drama but no goals, as Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Inter Miami battled to a pulsating 0-0 draw at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night. Despite the absence of goals, the match delivered no shortage of tension, near-misses, and heroic goalkeeping that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
It was a night dominated by two outstanding custodians. Inter Miami’s veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari produced a series of stunning saves, including a crucial first-half penalty stop from Al Ahly’s Trezeguet and a breathtaking point-blank denial of Dari’s header. At the other end, Mohamed El Shenawy matched him save for save, tipping Lionel Messi’s free-kick onto the bar and stopping a late header from Fafa Picault that seemed destined for the net.
Both sides had golden chances: Al Ahly, the more dangerous team in the first half, saw their opportunities squandered thanks to Ustari’s brilliance. Miami, led by Messi and Luis Suarez, improved after the break but found El Shenawy impenetrable.
Tensions flared as Miami’s frustrations grew. Luis Suarez earned a yellow card for dissent, while Sergio Busquets also saw yellow for delaying a corner. Messi came closest for Inter, curling a free kick agonizingly into the side netting and creating havoc with his set-piece delivery, but the breakthrough never came.
Al Ahly’s disciplined defense and quick counters kept Miami honest, while their fans, in strong voice throughout, celebrated a result that keeps their hopes alive in a tough group that also includes Porto and Palmeiras.
Played in oppressive heat and humidity, the game tested the stamina of both sides. Substitutions were key, but neither team could find the decisive touch. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano will rue the missed opportunities and the decision not to push harder earlier in the match. Meanwhile, Al Ahly coach will take heart from a resilient display that underlined his team’s pedigree on the world stage.
Both teams will look ahead to their remaining group fixtures with everything to play for. For Inter Miami, sharper finishing is a must if they hope to progress. For Al Ahly, the result is a statement: they are no mere underdogs in this tournament.
