Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami: Lionel Messi denied injury time winner as Club World Cup begins with goalless draw
Lionel Messi had an effort hit the crossbar as Inter Miami drew with Al Ahly in their Club World Cup opener (AFP via Getty Images)
Al Ahly and Inter Miami played out a goalless, but highly entertaining, draw in the opening game of the Club World Cup.
The Egyptian side, the most decorated team in African football, dominated the first-half of the Group A encounter and quite easily could have been three or four goals up by the break had it not been for a brilliant individual performance.
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However, the roles were reversed in the second half and Al Ahly were the ones left indebted to the most experienced player on their team as they easily could have left the Hard Rock Stadium empty handed.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Trezeguet were undoubtedly the most recognisable names on the pitch at kick-off, but it was one particular former Premier League player who stole the show in the opening 45 minutes.
Oscar Ustari, who spent six months on loan at Sunderland just over a decade ago, rolled back the years with an outstanding display of goalkeeping.
So much so that the penalty save to deny ex-Aston Villa forward Trezeguet the opening goal two minutes before half-time wasn't even his best stop of the half.
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Having already impressively denied Emam Ashour, Hamdy Fathy and Trezeguet, Ustari somehow kept out Achraf Dari's header from point-blank range, ensuring Inter Miami were, as Javier Mascherano admitted at half-time 'still alive'.
That said, the MLS outfit were inches away from going in at the break ahead.
Al Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali, who had earlier seen a goal disallowed for offside, was in the right place at the right time defensively as he made a miraculous goal-line clearance.
The Herons did improve as an attacking force in the second half as Messi was able to find more space and get on the ball. Many inside the stadium thought brilliant Argentine had broken the deadlock with a free-kick which hit the side-netting.
Big save: Mohamed El Shenawy (AFP via Getty Images)
Suarez and Tadeo Allende both went close to putting Inter Miami ahead before Al Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy proved his importance.
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Firstly he tipped Fafa Picault's header over the bar, then got his fingertips to the ball to turn Messi's effort onto the crossbar and then, after receiving treatment, blocked the ball with his face just as Maximiliano Falcon thought he had won it for the MLS side right at the death.
A share of the points in an entertaining goalless draw in Miami Gardens, though with Palmeiras and Porto next for Al Ahly and Inter Miami respectively, they may rue not picking up the win.
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