Heavy security and Messi on show as Club World Cup begins

Yahoo

8 hours ago

Under the previous format, Lionel Messi had scored five goals in five matches at the Club World Cup [Getty Images]
Lionel Messi and a heavy security presence were on show as the revamped Club World Cup got under way in the US on Saturday.
Host city side Inter Miami, led by Argentine legend Messi, played out an entertaining goalless draw against Egyptian giants Al Ahly to kick off the tournament.
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Miami were thankful to goalkeeper and man of the match Oscar Ustari for making a string of saves, including one from the penalty spot, to preserve a clean sheet.
Messi came close to opening the scoring in the second period with a free-kick and almost won it late on with an incredible, long-range strike but saw his effort acrobatically tipped onto the crossbar by Mohamed el Shenawy.
This event, which has been much maligned in some parts, may have started without a goal but finally the talk can be about the football - or can it?
Police presence felt in Miami
Matchday was the first time this week that it felt like a significant tournament was about to get under way.
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Around the South Beach area travelling Al Ahly supporters were enjoying lunch and drinks before the big game.
The Egyptian side had qualified as winners of the African Champions League and have serious pedigree, winning more league championships (45) and more titles on the continent (12) than any other club, but they could not translate that on to the global stage.
Along the Route 95 highway towards the stadium, advertising boards were showcasing the fixture, declaring it's "showtime" in true American fashion.
The last major game to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium took place 11 months ago when "a party almost became a tragedy" as ticketless fans forced their way in to the ground for the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, delaying kick-off by 80 minutes.
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Authorities learned a tough lesson and were taking no chances, making sure there was no repeat this time as police cars with flashing sirens lined the boulevards outside the stadium.
With that match and recent unrest in Los Angeles in mind, police officers with 'counter terrorism' logos patrolled the exterior of the venue and numerous security checks and bag searches were made before entry was granted.
Supporters needed extra time to make their way inside as they were forced to have further checks at a second perimeter point.
It remains to be seen whether the same approach will be taken in Sunday's fixtures, which take place in LA, Cincinnati, New York/New Jersey and Seattle.
Fireworks, razzmatazz and almost some Messi magic
Ronaldo was present alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino [Getty Images]
Once through the extensive screening process, it was the first time supporters bearing 'Messi 10' shirts were spotted in the city - and the glaring pink and black shirts were out in their numbers.
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"Messi, Messi, Messi" was the chant of choice from his adoring fans, just like it had been at Argentina's glorious run to winning the World Cup in Qatar three years ago.
The former Barcelona forward sent an effort narrowly over and had another bending strike saved by El Shenawy, before curling a delightful free-kick into the side netting which many of the crowd thought had gone in.
The week leading up to the opening game featured apparent ticketing issues but Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he expected "a full stadium" with an "incredible atmosphere".
He positioned himself in the stands at the centre of a front three, flanked by footballing icons Ronaldo of Brazil and Italian legend Roberto Baggio.
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What Infantino wanted and what he got were two different things.
Casting a glance around, thousands of empty green seats were clearly evident in the 65,326-capacity stadium and a crowd of 60,927 was announced in the second half.
But the presence of Messi, the sizeable travelling Egyptian contingent - who chanted and waved flags throughout - and an action-packed game made for a watchable contest.
As with all American sporting events, it began with a rendition of the national anthem, with the singer accompanied by a large stars-and-stripes flag.
Students from the local Miami Dade College then carried out large badges of the 32 competing clubs before placing them on to each letter of a vast 'Fifa' sign atop a podium in the centre of the pitch, leaving no doubt about whom this competition belonged to.
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Moroccan-American rapper French Montana produced a hit in the pre-match build-up, there were fireworks aplenty and, to add further razzmatazz, each player was announced on to the pitch individually before kick-off.
Unlike their illustrious opponents, Miami had supposedly qualified through the back door, achieving the place after claiming the Supporters' Shield - coming top of the MLS in the regular season - before being beaten in the play-offs.
Critics feel MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy would have been a better choice on merit, but that would have meant a Club World Cup without Miami and their main man Messi.
The club's co-owner and newly knighted Sir David Beckham was given a rousing ovation from supporters as he entered the stadium and there were even louder cheers as Messi's smiling face flashed up on the big screen.
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Although he came close, the little magician could not provide a moment of inspiration for the expectant crowd in attendance.
Miami failed to win potentially their easiest group game and come up against Portuguese side Porto on Thursday.
"Clearly, when we find Leo in positions and get the ball to him in the best way, that's where we have the most options," said Miami manager Javier Mascherano.
"We take it game by game. We know that the level will clearly rise in the next game because they're a European opponent, but we have to stay with the feeling that it's 11 against 11.
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"Anything can happen in football."
Veteran Ustari takes plaudits
The lengthy pre-match activity meant the match began six minutes later than the scheduled 8pm local kick-off time.
Al Ahly should have been 2-0 up in the opening eight minutes, but goalkeeper Ustari stood tall to keep out efforts from Wessam Abou Ali and Emam Ashour.
Former Argentina international Ustari was being kept busy, tipping Abou Ali's free-kick over the bar and making a sharp instinctive save to deny Achraf Dari's towering header.
The best of the lot came two minutes before half-time as the inspired Ustari dived the right way to keep out Mahmoud Trezeguet's penalty after the ex-Aston Villa player was bundled over in the box by Maximiliano Falcon.
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At half-time some entertainment was added to proceedings for the crowd as YouTuber iShowSpeed, who seems to be everywhere, Sergio Aguero, Pepe, Kaka, Alessandro del Piero and Youri Djorkaeff took part in a crossbar challenge.
Neither team could find a breakthrough in the second period, with Messi coming inches away, but it was 38-year-old former Sunderland man Ustari who took the plaudits.
"It was a great performance," he told DAZN. "We knew it would be difficult, so many of us are enjoying this experience for the very first time, including me at my age.
"I think we did really well."