PIX: Messi falls just short as Al-Ahly hold Inter Miami

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June 15, 2025 09:01 IST

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi shoots at goal from a free-kick during the Club World Cup Group A match against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday.

IMAGE: Inter Miami's Lionel Messi shoots at goal from a free-kick during the Club World Cup Group A match against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday. Photograph: Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance but his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday.

Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar.

Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, will take on Palmeiras in New York, where more of their fans are expected to turn up.

 

Al Ahly's Trezeguet has his penalty saved by Inter Miami's goalkeeper Oscar Ustari

IMAGE: Al Ahly's Trezeguet has his penalty saved by Inter Miami's goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Photograph: Marco Bello/Reuters

No incidents were reported at the game after around 1,000 protesters gathered in the morning near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, about 70 miles (110 km) north of Miami, waving placards and chanting slogans as part of coordinated nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations.

In Miami, 60,927 fans almost filled the 65,000-capacity stadium for Inter Miami’s clash with Al-Ahly dismissing, at least on the night, concerns about the attractiveness of the tournament featuring 32 teams for the first time, a year before the World Cup in the US.

Inter Miami, whose home attendances average 20,663 in their 21,550-seat Chase Stadium, have been a major road draw in 2025, regularly attracting record crowds across the country since Messi's arrival in 2023.

Adan De La Rosa travelled from Mexico just to see Messi play.

"There's a lot of excitement to see Messi, it's the same for everyone," he said.

Lionel Messi tries to work his way past Al Ahly defenders.

IMAGE: Lionel Messi tries to work his way past Al Ahly defenders. Photograph: Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Al-Ahly, backed by dozens of thousands of fans, got off to a strong start but wasted two early chances and Oscar Ustari parried away Trezeguet's poorly taken penalty kick after Zizo was fouled in the box by Telasco Segovia.

Messi threatened at times after spending some time on the ground after being hit on the knee, but Miami could feel lucky not to be behind at half-time.

Miami, however, stepped up a gear after the break, and Messi came close when his nicely curled 25-metre free kick kissed the post and hit the side netting.

With six minutes left, the World Cup winner scooped a perfect cross for Fafa Picault, whose header was tipped over the bar by Mohamed Elshenawy.

He came an inch close in the dying second when his curled strike from outside the box was tipped onto the bar by Elshenawy.

The Club World Cup continues on Sunday with Champions League winners Paris St Germain taking on Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich playing Auckland City.

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