Al Ahly v Inter Miami: Club World Cup 2025 opening match
Update:
Date: 2025-06-14T23:03:06.000Z
Title: Preamble
Content: If you've ever wanted to see Lionel Messi take on EPL opposition in a meaningful game, tonight's your night.
You did mean Egyptian Premier League, didn't you?
It's not just an Egyptian team, of course. It's Al-Ahly FC, winners of 12 African Champions League tournaments, including four of the last six.
Update:
Date: 2025-06-14T23:00:01.000Z
Title: Beau will be here shortly.
Content: In the meantime here's Barney Ronay's latest dispatch from Miami.
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Sky News
27 minutes ago
- Sky News
Controversial FIFA Club World Cup begins - with newly knighted David Beckham joining fans at Hard Rock stadium
The new-look FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) has begun, kicking off with a goalless game between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Al Ahly. While many would have expected the Argentine legend to be named "man of the match", it was Miami's goalkeeper that took home the accolade - Oscar Ustari made eight saves, including one from the penalty spot. Messi almost won the match late on with a long-range effort, only for Al Ahly keeper Mohamed El Shenawy to turn his effort on to the bar. Also in attendance was the newly knighted David Beckham - or Sir David as he will soon be known. Before its revamp for the 2025 tournament, the Club World Cup took place every winter and was contested by the winners of continental club competitions around the world. It will now take place every four years. FIFA has faced criticism around the 32-team tournament, with some players raising concerns about the relentless fixture schedule. Europe has 12 clubs in the tournament, including Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City. Their spaces were allocated based on performances in the Champions League over four seasons. Chelsea and City have already played 57 matches this season - now up to seven more have been added. It is why - in plans first revealed by Sky News in 2023 - global players' union FIFPRO has launched a legal challenge claiming FIFA has abused a dominant position to risk the health of players. A backdrop of unrest in America The CWC begins against the backdrop of immigration raids and violent protests in Los Angeles with concerns fans could be targeted or denied entry to FIFA events. It also the first time a major game has returned to the Hard Rock stadium in 11 months. The last match, the Copa America final saw ticketless fans breaching security gates and jumping over railings to enter the stadium, delaying kick off for 80 minutes.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Waves of police, YouTubers and little fanfare as Club World Cup begins
It's Saturday afternoon in Miami and as usual traffic is crawling up the northbound side of Highway 95. Even in the 'Express Lane', where locals pay a small fee to supposedly dodge traffic, there is gridlock. As they sat in their air-conditioned cars those locals noticed the huge billboard advertising the opening game of Fifa's new $1billion Club World Cup tournament between Inter Miami and Al Ahly, which would take place later that evening at the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL side Miami Dolphins. Alongside a picture of the glowing gold trophy that 32 teams from six continents are fighting for was an image of Lionel Messi in a Miami shirt and the words: 'It's Showtime.' The billboard flickered to the next advert, from the Mexican beer Modelo.
The Independent
2 hours ago
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Lionel Messi's brilliance only enough for Inter Miami draw to kick off Club World Cup
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance as his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al Ahly in the opening clash of the revamped Club World Cup. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face Porto on Thursday in Atlanta while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, will take on Palmeiras in New York, where more of their fans are expected to turn up. Miami coach Javier Mascherano was quick to praise his Argentine star despite the slightly frustrating stalemate. 'It's admirable how much love Messi has for the game," said Mascherano. 'After all the matches he's played, he's still here, giving his all. Of course, we wanted to win, but I'm happy with the team's performance today. 'It's clear that when we find Leo (Messi) in the right positions and give him good passes, we have more options and chances. In the first half, we kept trying to find him with the first ball, but they were ready for us. 'When we were more patient, we were able to find Leo. And we all know what he can do when he finds space. 'We were very nervous and anxious in the first half, which is normal given the context. In the second half, we were more patient. We played all over the pitch, created chances and could have scored to win the game. But it's a 90-minute match, and let's not forget we struggled in that first half.' No incidents were reported at the game after around 1,000 protesters gathered in the morning near President Donald Trump 's Mar-a-Lago estate, about 70 miles (110 km) north of Miami, waving placards and chanting slogans as part of coordinated nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations. In Miami, 60,927 fans almost filled the 65,000-capacity stadium for Inter Miami's clash with Al-Ahly dismissing, at least on the night, concerns about the attractiveness of the tournament featuring 32 teams for the first time, a year before the World Cup in the U.S. Al-Ahly, backed by dozens of thousands of fans, got off to a strong start but wasted two early chances and Mimai goalkeeper Oscar Ustari parried away Trezeguet's poorly-taken penalty after Zizo was fouled in the box by Telasco Segovia. Messi threatened at times after spending some time on the ground after being hit on the knee, but Miami could feel lucky not to be behind at half-time. The American side, however, stepped up a gear after the break, and Messi came close when his nicely curled free kick kissed the post and hit the side netting. With six minutes left, the World Cup winner scooped a perfect cross for Fafa Picault, whose header was tipped over the bar by Mohamed Elshenawy. He came an inch from scoring in the dying second when his curled strike from outside the box was tipped onto the bar by Elshenawy. The Club World Cup continues on Sunday with Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain taking on Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich playing Auckland City.
