Inter Miami Held to Draw in FIFA Club World Cup Opener

MIAMI: In the FIFA Club World Cup’s inaugural match on Saturday, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al-Ahly played to a scoreless tie.

Messi attracted enormous throngs to the venue, as nearly 61,000 spectators packed Hard Rock Stadium, fostering a celebratory mood and providing the competition with an impressive debut.

Miami was fortunate to escape the first half unscathed, largely due to goalkeeper Oscar Ustari’s heroics. Ustari, who was named man of the match, stopped Mahmoud Trezeguet’s penalty just before halftime.

Miami almost broke the deadlock when Messi unleashed a long-range free-kick that Mohamed el Shenawy tipped onto the crossbar.

Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, acknowledged that his squad displayed nervousness in the first half but performed better in the second.

“We were visibly nervous and unsettled in the first half, which is to be expected given the circumstances. We demonstrated greater composure in the second half. We were more effective across the field, generated opportunities, and could have found a goal to secure the victory. However, a match lasts 90 minutes, and it’s important to acknowledge the difficulties we faced in the first half,” Mascherano stated.

“It’s evident that our chances and options improve when we successfully find Leo (Messi) in favorable positions and provide accurate passes. In the first half, our strategy of immediately targeting him was anticipated by our opponents.

“By exhibiting greater patience, we managed to locate Leo, and we are all aware of his capabilities when he has space.”

As the Club World Cup proceeds on Sunday, Champions League victor Paris Saint-Germain will clash with Atlético Madrid, while Bayern Munich is set to confront Auckland City.