Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly Battle to Scoreless Draw in Club World Cup Opener

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly Battle to Scoreless Draw in Club World Cup Opener
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (R) and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari stand next to the trophy prior to the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami in Miami, Fla., on June 14, 2025. Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—Lionel Messi was denied a sensational late winner as Inter Miami had to settle for a 0–0 draw against Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday night.

Argentina’s eight-time Ballon d’Or winner looked set to provide a stunning finish in front of a crowd of more than 60,000, whipping a curling long shot towards the top corner in the sixth minute of added time. But he was denied his moment of glory as Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Messi also shaved the post with a free kick earlier in the second half.