The first-ever 32-team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup kicked off with a nail-biting 0-0 draw between Inter Miami and Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The match set the stage for an action-packed tournament that has fans on the edge of their seats! ⚽
Al Ahly dominated the early proceedings with several promising opportunities. Emam Ashour fired a close-range shot in the seventh minute that was heroically blocked by Miami’s keeper Oscar Ustari. Moments later, Wessam Abou Ali appeared to be on course to score, but the effort was called off for offside.
Miami wasn’t without spark either. In the 44th minute, Lionel Messi’s powerful shot from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar, and in the second half, his pinpoint cross nearly set up a header by Fafa Picault—only to be thwarted by Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy.
With Miami keeping their first clean sheet since April 19 and missing their usual scoring prowess (their first goalless game since May 19), both teams are gearing up for the next round of challenges. Inter Miami will be setting up against Porto, while Al Ahly is preparing to face Palmeiras, with Porto and Palmeiras clashing on Sunday.
This intense, scoreless opener reminds us that in soccer, every match is a strategic battle. Stay tuned for more heart-stopping moments in this historic tournament! 🔥
Reference(s):
FIFA Club World Cup begins with 0-0 draw between Inter Miami, Al Ahly
cgtn.com
