Hard Rock Stadium was buzzing. You could feel the humidity, but the energy from the traveling Egyptian fans was even heavier. Honestly, if you closed your eyes, you’d think the match was happening in the middle of Cairo rather than Miami Gardens. People expected a goal-fest. They expected Messi to dance through the defense and put three in the back of the net.
But the final inter miami vs al ahly score told a different, much grittier story: 0-0.
A scoreless draw sounds boring on paper, doesn't it? It wasn't. It was probably one of the most stressful goalless games you've seen in years. We’re talking about a match where two goalkeepers basically decided they weren't going to let anything past them, no matter who was shooting.
The Night the Keepers Became Superhuman
Oscar Ustari is 39 years old. Most keepers are thinking about retirement or a coaching gig at that age. Instead, he was out there playing like he’d found the fountain of youth.
The biggest moment? The 43rd minute. Telasco Segovia clipped Zizo in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. The stadium went quiet. Trézéguet stepped up for Al Ahly, looking to silence the home crowd. He struck it well, low and to the left, but Ustari guessed right. He didn't just parry it; he smothered the hope of the African champions right then and there.
On the other end of the pitch, Mohamed El Shenawy was doing his own impression of a brick wall.
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Deep into stoppage time—we’re talking 90+6 minutes—Lionel Messi did that thing he does. He took a short corner, got the ball back, and whipped a curling left-footed shot toward the far post. It looked like a certain winner. El Shenawy somehow got his fingertips to it, deflecting it onto the crossbar. Then, seconds later, he saved a point-blank header from Maximiliano Falcón. Rumor has it he might have even made that last save with his head. Talk about commitment.
Why Inter Miami Struggled in the First Half
Javier Mascherano didn't sugarcoat it after the game. He admitted the team looked "nervous and anxious" during the opening 45 minutes. It makes sense. This was Inter Miami’s debut in the FIFA Club World Cup. Even with legends like Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets on the pitch, the weight of the occasion seemed to settle on their shoulders.
Al Ahly, on the other hand, played like they’d been there a thousand times. Because they have. They are the most successful club in the world for a reason, with over 150 trophies in their cabinet. They dominated the first half, keeping the ball away from Messi and forcing Miami to defend deep.
- Possession: Al Ahly 42% - Inter Miami 58% (mostly in their own half early on).
- Total Shots: Miami managed 10, but many were desperate attempts.
- Key Saves: Ustari’s penalty save was the statistical turning point.
Inter Miami missed Jordi Alba and Bright, who were ruled out just before the opener. That lack of width really hurt them in the early stages. They looked narrow and predictable.
The Second Half Shift
Whatever Mascherano said in the locker room worked. Miami came out looking like a different team. They started moving the ball with more patience, stretching the Al Ahly defense from side to side.
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Tadeo Allende had a massive chance right after the break, but El Shenawy was there again. The substitutions made a difference, too. Marcelo Weigandt came on for Tomás Avilés to provide more stability, and Fafà Picault replaced Allende later on to add some verticality. Picault nearly won it in the 85th minute with a powerful header, but—you guessed it—El Shenawy tipped it over.
It was a tactical chess match. Al Ahly’s new manager, Jose Riveiro, commented that his team had the chances to "put the game in a different space" in the first half but failed to capitalize. By the time the second half rolled around, they were the ones suffering under the Miami sun.
What This Result Means for Group A
In a tournament this short, every point is a lifeline. Group A is tight. Since the inter miami vs al ahly score ended in a stalemate, both teams walked away with one point.
- Inter Miami: Faces Porto next at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That’s a tough out. They need to find their scoring boots fast if they want to advance.
- Al Ahly: Takes on Palmeiras. The Brazilian side is notoriously difficult to break down, so the Egyptians will need more than just heroic goalkeeping.
It’s interesting to see how the "home field advantage" played out. Despite being in Miami, the Al Ahly fans were incredibly loud. You saw Barcelona flags, Egypt flags, and even some fans who seemed genuinely conflicted about rooting against Messi while wearing his old jersey. It was a weird, beautiful atmosphere.
Tactical Takeaways and Misconceptions
People think MLS teams are just "retirement homes" for European stars. This match proved that even with aging legends, Miami can compete physically with the best in Africa. However, it also highlighted a major weakness: if you can isolate Messi and Suárez, the rest of the squad sometimes struggles to create high-quality chances.
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Al Ahly’s midfield, led by Marwan Attia, was relentless. They weren't afraid to pick up yellow cards—Attia, Busquets, and Suárez all ended up in the referee’s book—to stop a counter-attack. It was a physical, sometimes "ugly" game of football that required a lot of tactical discipline.
If you’re looking for a silver lining for Miami, it’s their defense. Keeping a clean sheet against a team as experienced as Al Ahly is no small feat. Maximiliano Falcón and Noah Allen held the line surprisingly well, especially considering how much pressure they faced in the first half.
Real-World Action Steps for Fans
If you're following the Club World Cup or just trying to keep up with the Herons, here is what you should do next:
- Watch the Highlights: If you missed the live broadcast, go find the footage of Ustari’s penalty save. It was a masterclass in reading a shooter's hips.
- Check the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Jordi Alba’s status for the Porto match. Miami desperately needs his overlapping runs to create space for Messi.
- Follow the Group Standings: With one point each, the next round is basically a "must-win" for both sides if they want to avoid a stressful final matchday.
- Don't Sleep on Al Ahly: If you're a casual MLS fan, take note of this Egyptian side. They are organized, technically sound, and clearly aren't intimidated by big names.
The 0-0 draw might not have provided the "fireworks" FIFA was hoping for in the opening ceremony, but it provided plenty of drama. It showed that on the global stage, names on the back of the jersey only get you so far. You still have to get past the guy between the posts.