MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Lionel Messi knew he didn’t score, but it didn’t stop fans at the FIFA Club World Cup opener from thinking he did, and cheering until they realized he didn’t.
Messi lined up for a free kick with his legendary left boot in the 64th minute and missed outside the left post. The ball still ricocheted into the outside of the net, giving the appearance he scored.
Messi’s reaction said it all. He raised his arms over his head, through his hair, and onto the back of his head. And got back to playing. It was the second-closest moment to a score for Messi during the first match of the 2025 Club World Cup.
The next was Messi’s attempt in the closing minutes (90’+5), where he soared a shot outside the box that could have snuck into the top left corner before Al Ahly goalie Mohamed El Shenawy hit it away.
Both teams play again on Thursday, June 19: Inter Miami in Atlanta against FC Porto (Portugal), while Al Ahly faces Brazilian club Palmeiras in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“Today is one of those days where – at least for me – with the effort, the work the team put in, the sacrifice, I think I’m leaving satisfied despite not having won,” Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez said after the match.
While the match was void of the magic Messi moment or a goal from either club, the near misses by both clubs provided plenty of drama.
Messi delivered a pass to Inter Miami’s Fafa Picault, whose header was saved by the last second by El Shenawy and over the crossbar in the 85th minute. Early in the second half, El Shenawy also stopped a kick from Inter Miami’s Tadeo Allende in front of the net.
Just before halftime, Al Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali was the last line of defense on a floater by Suarez that Allende could have scored before it was deflected.
“We pushed really hard at the end … Their goalkeeper made three incredible saves, but it wasn’t to be. And now we’re moving on,” Inter Miami’s Benajmin Cremaschi said.
Inter Miami’s Club World Cup message to the world after the opener? That they can hang with the best. Even a club as accomplished as Al Ahly, which has won 45 Egyptian Premiere League titles – including 16 of the last 20.
Were there any empty seats? Sure, there were some despite reports of slow ticket sales. But the stadium filled out just before kickoff, and even more as the first half began.
Al Ahly supporters wearing red optically appeared to outnumber Inter Miami’s fans – wearing a variety of colors from light pink, black, aqua and orange from last year’s third kit, and Argentina’s light blue and white to support Messi. Sonically, the Al Ahly fans were louder too – until the Messi chants filled the stadium.
Too bad Messi was unable to score to lift the roof off the building, and send a message to the rest of the world that the Club World Cup has begun and will be the focal point of sports this summer in the United States.
“He’s the best player in the world, so it was a pleasure to play against him. But we had a really good chance to win,” Al Ahly’s Taher Mohamed said.
Ultimately, Inter Miami’s 38-year-old goalie Oscar Ustari was the MVP in this match – his eight saves helped his club have a respectable opener instead of the embarrassing last month in MLS play that they had before the Club World Cup.
Ustari – who surrendered 23 goals in an eight-game stretch before the tournament – saved shots by Wessam Abou Ali in the 5th minute, and Emam Ashour in the 8th minute.
Ustari’s crucial save on a penalty kick from Al Ahly’s Mahmoud Trézéguet in the 43rd minute was also a turning point, keeping Inter Miami in the match.
“I got to help the team by blocking it, and it made us change a few things for later,” Ustari said of his penalty save. “We knew what kind of game we were in for, against an intense team … but I think it was a good performance.”
Inter Miami is in must-win mode for its next two group stage matches in the Club World Cup. They have one point already, but four points could be enough to get them into the knockout stage.
Messi has never been ousted in a tournament for club or country in the group stage. Despite feeling accomplished with a draw, the pressure is on for Inter Miami to reach the next round. And for Messi to deliver.
“Everyone knows how much peace of mind it gives you to have him on your side,” Suarez said of Messi. “And I’m going to enjoy the time I have left playing alongside him and achieving important things with him, too.”
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Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly highlights
Fafa Picault’s header misses in front of net: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Messi’s pass was in prime, but Fafa Picault’s header was barely clipped by by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and over the crossbar in the 85th minute.
Messi’s free kick fools fans: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Messi knew he didn’t score, but he definitely fooled many inside Hard Rock Stadium. Messi barely missed his free kick outside the left post, but the ball hit the side of the net – causing fans to think he scored.
Messi’s attempt in the 64th minute was the closest Inter Miami had to score in his match, but his club’s collective energy in the second half has risen a notch in this Club World Cup opener.
Marcelo Weigandt’s shot high over net: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Lionel Messi found a teammate in open space, but the finish by right-back defender Marcelo Weigandt was high and over the net.
Lionel Messi fires shot in 57th, but doesn’t score: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Lionel Messi found a window, and fired a left boot toward the net. But his shot was stopped by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy in the 57th minute.
Tadeo Allende’s attempt saved by Al Ahly goalie: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Inter Miami nearly had its first shot on goal in the match. Tadeo Allende’s kick in front of the net was stopped by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy in the 51st minute. Luis Suarez deflected the ball into Allende’s direction in the middle of the goal area, but Inter Miami was unable to capitalize.
Halftime: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
It’s halftime in the Club World Cup opener. It might be 0-0, but there hasn’t been a shortage in drama.
After Oscar Ustari’s save on a penalty kick, Al Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali was the last line of defense on a floater by Luis Suarez that Tadeo Allende nearly scored. Abou Ali kicked away the pass, practically under the crossbar to keep this match scoreless heading into the second half.
Oscar Ustari blocks Mahmoud Trézéguet’s penalty kick: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari has been their MVP in the first half of this match, saving a penalty kick by Al Ahly’s Mahmoud Trézéguet in the 43rd minute. In the biggest moment of the match, Inter Miami’s goalie showed up to keep this match scoreless.
Play stops as Messi tends to hard hit: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Lionel Messi took some time on the pitch to tend to a hit to his right knee before getting up to cheers by fans. Messi was hit by Al Ahly defender Achraf Dari, who swung through his kick and struck Messi with his cleat.
Achraf Dari’s header is saved by Oscar Ustari: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Al Ahly defender Achraf Dari’s header was saved by Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari, his third save in the match.
Wessam Abou Ali offsides on goal: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
The Al Ahly fans cheered loudly, but Wessam Abou Ali was called offside to deny the opening goal in the match to the Egyptians in the 30th minute.
Messi’s free kick is high in 15th minute: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Messi lined up for a free kick, aiming for the top left corner, but his shot soared over the net in the 15th minute. But it’s clear: The fans were waiting for a major Messi moment to unfold.
8’: Al-Ahly’s Emam Ashour has shot blocked: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
Another save by Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari, the 38-year-old goalie who is off to a great start in this match after a shaky last month in MLS play. He blocked a shot by Emam Ashour in the 8th minute.
5’: Al Ahly’s Wessam Abou Ali misses shot: Inter Miami 0, Al Ahly 0
A shot by Al Ahly’s Wessam Abou Ali is blocked by Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari in the 5th minute, stopping a one-on-one opportunity between the two early in this match.
What time is Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly Club World Cup match?
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Ahly in Club World Cup?
The match will be broadcast on TBS in English and TUDN in Spanish, and available to live stream free on DAZN.
Fans cheer Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez at Hard Rock Stadium
Is Messi playing tonight in Club World Cup? Inter Miami starting 11 vs. Al Ahly
Defenders Jordi Alba and Gonzalo Lujan, and midfielder Yannick Bright had all been ruled out of Saturday’s game.
Al Ahly starting 11 vs. Inter Miami
Al Ahly manager José Riveiro has revealed his starting 11 for the FIFA Club World Cup opener against Inter Miami.
Wessam Abou Ali is the team’s key goal-scoring threat. Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy is the team captain. Midfielder Emam Ashour has made 16 appearances for the Egyptian national team.
Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly betting odds
Latest odds according to BetMGM:
Spread: Al Ahly +230, Inter Miami +110, Tie +260
Over/under: 2.5 goals
Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly prediction
Inter Miami 2, Al Ahly 1: This feels like a night and stage where Lionel Messi will shine the brightest. Messi scores a goal, Luis Suarez will score the other as Inter Miami beats Al Ahly in the first match of the tournament. — Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter for USA TODAY Sports
What to know about Inter Miami in Club World Cup
Inter Miami and its former Barcelona stars in Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba (who won’t play due to hamstring injury) enter the Club World Cup as a bit of an underdog despite being favored to win vs. Al Ahly.
Under new coach Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami started this season unbeaten in its first 14 matches across all competitions (11 wins and three draws) but hit a major slump toward the end of April. Inter Miami was bounced by the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-1 on aggregate score in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Since April 24, Inter Miami has played 10 matches – it has lost five with two draws. It was outscored 23-15 in the first eight matches, before outscoring CF Montreal and Columbus Crew 9-3 in two wins before the Club World Cup.
What to know about Al Ahly in Club World Cup
Al Alhy is regarded as one of the best teams in Africa. It has won 26 continental titles and 45 Egyptian Premiere League titles – including 16 of the last 20. It has played in the Club World Cup nine times and finished in third place in 2006, 2020, 2021 and 2023. However, the Inter Miami match will be the first for Al Ahly’s José Riveiro, who was announced as the club’s new coach on May 29.
When is Messi’s birthday?
Messi will turn 38 years old on June 24 – which is one day after Inter Miami completes its group stage matches in the Club World Cup. Messi will turn 39 during FIFA World Cup 2026, which he has not yet declared to play in for defending champion Argentina.
Will ICE or Border Patrol be at Club World Cup?
The presence of federal law enforcement officers, including those from U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is relatively common at major sporting events, which often carry special designations that prompt more rigorous security. There are concerns that CBP and ICE will go beyond their traditional security roles at the Club World Cup.
What is the FIFA Club World Cup?
The Club World Cup features 32 of the best soccer teams from across the world, split into eight groups of four teams each. European powerhouses like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Chelsea, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich will be taking on winners of previous competitions across CONCACAF, Africa, Asia and South America.
What is the Club World Cup schedule?
After Inter Miami-Al Ahly Club World Cup opener, four matches will be played across the country on Sunday.
Group C: Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City, Noon ET (Cincinnati)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California)
Group A: SE Palmeiras vs. FC Porto, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Group B: Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders, 10 p.m. ET (Seattle)
Here’s more on the Club World Cup groups, group stage schedule, and the full tournament schedule.
Club World Cup predictions
Winner: PSG. Paris Saint-Germain completed the treble with its demolition of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, how about accomplishing a historic ‘quadruple’ by winning the Club World Cup, too? PSG has been an unstoppable force, winning the French Cup final (vs. Reims) and Champions League final by a combined score of 8-0, and expect the newly crowned European champions to carry that momentum into their next high-profile tournament.
Which MLS team has the best chance to advance? Perhaps I’m being a bit optimistic, but my bracket has both Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC advancing to the knockout rounds. They get eliminated there (by PSG and Bayern Munich, respectively), but if MLS could get just one team beyond the group stage, then the Club World Cup will be considered a success for the league. You cannot discount Lionel Messi on a stage like this, and Miami was gifted a favorable group (alongside FC Porto, Palmeiras and Al Ahly). LAFC, meanwhile, is playing with house money after defeating Club America in a play-in game thriller. The Seattle Sounders’ path to the knockout rounds is a monumental challenge with PSG and Atlético Madrid also in their group.
Teams due for a group stage upset: Aside from having two MLS teams moving on to the knockout rounds, my bracket is rather chalk. However, in Group H there’s the European entrant that seems most susceptible to not advancing: FC Salzburg. Real Madrid should win the group, but I like Liga MX’s Pachuca to advance over Salzburg. — Jim Reineking