A huge save from Ustari
The first game of the revamped Club World Cup ended in a 0-0 draw between MLS side Inter Miami and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Lionel Messi and his team-mates earned a share of the points thanks, in large part, to goalkeeper Oscar Ustari after his first-half penalty save. The MLS club did improve in the second half and had chances to win the game, but could not find the back of the net.
Messi struggled to make his mark in the first half but caused the Egyptians real problems in the second. He went close to scoring from a free kick before perfectly teeing up a Fafa Picault header which was saved by Mohamed El Shenawy.
And the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner almost scored with seconds left on the clock, but El Shenawy made another superb save to deny him.
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Al Ahly 0, Inter Miami 0 – Messi comes close as 60,000 take in lively Club World Cup opener Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
33' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
Al Ahly keep on it. Abou Ali drills a superb free kick that requires Ustari to palm over the bar. That ball was travelling.
From the resulting corner, Dari drives into the box with a powerful header — Ustari stands up, gets big hands to the effort and then somehow the ball is cleared when it is just waiting to be buried into the unguarded net.
These chances are mounting up now. Getty Images
30' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
On the other side, Miami look like an accident waiting to happen at the back.
Again, Abou Ali is played through into loads of space — and this time he slots underneath Ustari and into the net BUT…
The offside flag goes up again, correctly so too, and the goal is chalked off. Getty Images
29' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
This has been pretty heavy work for Inter Miami so far, and Al Ahly look entirely comfortable with that pace whenever they try to work some angles in the Egyptians' defensive third.
Widespread laughter at the Seattle watch party when the broadcast showed the shaky referee cam.
Not quite the reception FIFA expected for the innovation.
That Aviles foul — and subsequent yellow card — was one of a man who has been run ragged in the first 25 minutes of this match.
He has been the weak link in a porous Inter Miami defence and has seldom been in the position that he should have been. That foul was a perfect example of his lack of positional discipline, having to take out his opponent to atone for his error.
He is in for a long night from here!
25' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
First booking of the Club World Cup klaxon.
Zizo on the run through the middle and Tomas Aviles brings that run to an end with a friendly shove.
The yellow card soon comes out from referee Alireza Faghani, and TV viewers are then treated to the first sight of FIFA's ref body cam.
It's a shaky mess of the players backs that makes you realise how hard their job can be while running at full pelt, at least.
20' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
That Al Ahly free kick led to a wonderful chance for Fathi as the ball fell at his feet some 10 yards out.
He tries to prod it through Ustari but the Miami goalkeeper is up to the task.
All the big chances so far have fallen to the Egyptians. Getty Images
19' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
Some patient — OK, slow — possession from both sides here, with Miami winning it back and trying to build.
That results in Ian Fray trying an audacious flick on the right and losing the ball, before fouling in a bid to recover the situation. Fun! But also, not ideal.
Watching the opener from a brewery in Seattle. Over 50 fans, mostly of the Sounders, crowded in the back/modified industrial garage. The loudest ovations have come whenever Miami concedes a shot.
FIFA also has a street team here handing out sunglasses, beer coozies, and pop sockets. They say nobody is interested in the pop sockets.
15' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
Play resumes with Lionel Messi's eyes lighting up at a free kick some 25 yards out.
In truth it never looks like it's going to trouble El Shenawy, as the ball swirls beyond the top corner and out for a goal kick.
But it was nice to dream about some magic for a moment. Getty Images
13' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
It's looking like early heartbreak for Emam Ashour here. He was already complaining about a shoulder issue to the bench before that missed chance.
How he's walking off the pitch, visibly upset and what may already be the end of his tournament.
Let's hope not, but it is the end of his opening match. Zizo comes on in his place. Getty Images
Al Ahly manager Jose Riveiro has done his homework. The Egyptian side are sitting in a mid block, recovering possession centrally and quickly countering against Miami's high line.
That somewhat basic strategy has been the ideal way to hurt Inter Miami.
Al Ahly has had two break away chances early in the match. They should be up 1-0 by now.
Messi and Suarez are the players who garner the most attention in this Inter Miami team, and it shows.
Every time Al Ahly go forward, they have torn the opposing defence apart.
Sergio Busquets has never been the most dynamic of defensive midfielders while an injury to experienced left-back Jordi Alba certainly hasn't helped.
Early evidence suggests Miami may ship a lot of goals in this tournament.
8' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
This time there is no flag as Trezeguet bursts through and he tees up Ashour.
It's almost the same as Abou Ali's previous opportunity — and the same finish, as a tame side-footed effort is parried away to his left by Ustari.
Blimey, this game is open… Getty Images
5' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
When is a big chance not a big chance? When the offside flag goes up just after you've spurned your 1v1 with a tame side-footed effort at Ustari.
Still, Abou Ali can take some encouragement from being played into so much space. Very promising.
4' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
Early exchanges down and it's pretty clear Al Ahly are going to be patient in their build-up; Ibrahim notably sat on the ball waiting for an option ahead of him — and the Egyptian side's possession soon breaking down without any real progress. Getty Images
1' Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami
Here. We. Go. Al Alhy get this opening game of the Club World Cup under way! Getty Images
As kick-off approaches, I must say it is fuller than I expected. My wing-man Felipe says the people of Miami do like to be fashionably late.
The traffic in Miami also makes Istanbul look free-flowing. Getty Images
The Hard Rock Stadium DJ has welcomed the players with a certified banger from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar soundtrack.
That's right...you remember this one: Let's Get Down to Business.
Now we can start this tournament.
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