Early Drama and Missed Opportunities in Miami
Opening night at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 didn’t deliver a flurry of goals, but it certainly delivered drama. Under the bright lights of Hard Rock Stadium, Inter Miami CF made their highly anticipated tournament debut against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly SC, a club with more CAF Champions League titles than most fans have had hot dinners. With over 60,000 supporters roaring in the stands, both teams went at it from the first whistle, but neither could find the finishing touch.
The tension peaked late in the first half. After sustained pressure from Al Ahly, the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. Egyptian international Trézéguet, usually cool from the spot, saw his effort denied by Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari, who guessed right and flung himself to keep the score at zero. It was the defining moment of a first half mostly dominated by Al Ahly, though Miami occasionally threatened on the break, largely through their talisman Lionel Messi.
Late Entertainment but No Winner
Things heated up even more in the closing stages. With time slipping away, Messi took matters into his own hands. He launched a left-footed rocket from outside the area, and for a heartbeat it looked certain to nestle in the back of the net. The crossbar, however, had other ideas, much to the relief of Al Ahly’s fans. Minutes later, Miami substitute Fafa Picault rose to meet a curling cross, forcing an acrobatic save from Al Ahly’s keeper that kept the deadlock untouched.
The second half saw both sides probing for weakness, but the defenders were having none of it. Clutch blocks, dogged tracking, and a couple of heavy tackles summed up the mood. Both managers paced their technical areas, urging their players to commit to breaking the stalemate, but every attack seemed to fall just short.
When the final whistle went, the scoreboard still showed 0-0. Not a classic for the highlight reels, but the nerves, intensity, and near-misses certainly set the tone for what’s to come in Group A.
- Oscar Ustari’s brilliant penalty save stood out, rescuing Inter Miami when the pressure was at its highest.
- Messi’s presence—his touches, vision, and near-miss—kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
- A crowd of more than 60,000 created a lively atmosphere, reminding everyone why the Club World Cup is a special competition.
Both teams now face tough assignments ahead, with Brazilian super-club Palmeiras and Portuguese giants Porto still waiting in the wings. Inter Miami, holding second place, will need to find their scoring boots, while Al Ahly, currently in fourth, must regroup if they want to extend their stay in the tournament. If the opener is anything to go by, Group A is wide open—and anything can happen.
For those who couldn’t be at the stadium, coverage was everywhere—ESPN, TBS, DAZN, and up-to-the-minute stats on apps like Sofascore kept fans glued to every moment. The Inter Miami faithful will be hoping for more fireworks in the next match.