Messi falls short for Miami in Club World Cup opener
Lionel Messi has displayed flashes of brilliance but his Inter Miami side have been held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly in the opening round of the revamped Club World Cup.
Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, 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 FC 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.
The near 61,000 strong crowd in Miami dismissed concerns about the attractiveness of the tournament featuring 32 teams for the first time, a year before the World Cup in the United States.
Al-Ahly got off to a strong start but wasted two early chances and Oscar Ustari parried away Trezeguet's poorly taken penalty kick after Zizo was fouled in the box by Telasco Segovia.
Messi threatened at times after being hit on the knee, but Miami could feel lucky not to be behind at halftime.
Miami, however, stepped up a gear after the break, and Messi came close when his nicely curled 25-metre 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 close 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 St Germain taking on Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich playing Auckland City.
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