Messi Denied Late Goal in Club World Cup Draw

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami was held to a scoreless draw by Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the opening match of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday before 60,927 fans at Hard Rock Stadium.

Messi nearly delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner, but Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy tipped his 20-yard curling shot onto the crossbar.

“I thought it was in,” Messi said post-match. “It was a great save, and we’ll have to build from this.”

Al Ahly, backed by over 10,000 vocal supporters, missed a first-half penalty from Egypt international Trezeguet, whose low shot was saved by Miami’s Argentine keeper Oscar Ustari.

Miami nearly snatched all three points in the final seconds when defender Maxi Falcon’s close-range header was again denied by El Shenawy’s reflex stop.

The tournament marked a smooth start for FIFA’s 32-team format despite concerns over its place in an already packed football calendar.

“This is the new era for global club football,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared, hailing the fan turnout and seamless logistics as “a dream start.”

The match was played without incident, unlike past controversies at the venue, with crowd control and security described as efficient.

Al Ahly had the better of the first half, opening up Miami’s defense early, including a chance for Emam Ashour saved by Ustari.

Wessam Abou Ali, a Palestine international, also had a goal ruled out for offside and forced another acrobatic stop from Ustari with a long-range strike.

The breakthrough seemed imminent when Telasco Segovia fouled Zizo in the box, but Trezeguet’s weak penalty failed to capitalize.

Messi’s presence energized Miami in the second half, highlighted by a 64th-minute free-kick that narrowly missed the top corner.

His last-minute attempt from a short corner routine brought the stadium to its feet but was dramatically denied by El Shenawy’s outstretched fingertips.

Inter Miami next faces FC Porto in Atlanta on Thursday, followed by a Group A clash with Brazil’s Palmeiras on Monday in Florida.

Al Ahly, 12-time CAF Champions League winners and 45-time Egyptian champions, remain hopeful of advancing after a well-earned point.