Goalkeepers Shine in Club World Cup 2025 Opener
The inaugural match of the new, expanded FIFA Club World Cup was billed as a global showcase for superstar talent, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami making their historic debut on American soil. Instead, the 60,927 fans at Hard Rock Stadium were treated to a dramatic and action-packed goalkeeping masterclass. In a thrilling 0-0 draw that defied its goalless scoreline, it was the men between the posts—Inter Miami’s Óscar Ustari and Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy—who stole the show.
The match was a classic “tale of two halves,” with the Egyptian giants dominating the first half only to be denied by the heroics of Ustari, before a resurgent Inter Miami was frustrated by the brilliance of El Shenawy in the second. The result leaves both teams with a crucial point and sets the stage for a tense battle to advance from a difficult Group A.
A Tale of Two Halves: From Al Ahly’s Onslaught to Miami’s Revival
The opening 45 minutes were a story of near-total dominance by the 12-time African champions, Al Ahly. They played with a confidence and sharpness that seemed to catch Inter Miami by surprise, consistently slicing through the MLS side’s defense with ease. Head coach Javier Mascherano later admitted his side was plagued by “nerves and anxiety” in the first half, and it showed. Al Ahly created a host of clear-cut chances, with Palestinian international striker Wessam Abou Ali having an effort correctly ruled out for offside and forcing several key saves from the Miami keeper. The Egyptian side, roared on by a massive and vocal contingent of their own fans that made the Miami stadium feel like Cairo, looked destined to run away with the game.
However, whatever Mascherano said at halftime had a profound effect. Inter Miami emerged for the second half as a completely different team. They were more composed in possession, more patient in their build-up play, and began to impose their own will on the game. With Sergio Busquets controlling the midfield, they pushed Al Ahly back and started to create dangerous opportunities of their own. Lionel Messi, who was largely a peripheral figure in the first half, began to find pockets of space and influence the game. The final 20 minutes were a story of relentless Miami pressure as they pushed for a late winner, a dramatic reversal from the script of the first half.
The Goalkeepers’ Duel: A Man of the Match Performance at Both Ends
This was a game that will be remembered for the spectacular performances of the two goalkeepers. In the first half, the undisputed hero was Inter Miami’s veteran Argentine keeper, Óscar Ustari. He was a one-man wall, single-handedly keeping his team in the game with a series of brilliant saves. His most crucial intervention came in the 43rd minute. After a penalty was awarded to Al Ahly, Ustari faced down Egyptian international Trezeguet. He correctly guessed the direction of the spot-kick, parrying the weak effort before springing to his feet to deny the follow-up attempt in a stunning double save. It was a moment of world-class goalkeeping that not only preserved the clean sheet but also seemed to galvanize his entire team.
In the second half, it was Al Ahly’s captain, Mohamed El Shenawy, who took center stage. As Inter Miami pushed for a winner, he produced a series of vital saves to secure a point for his side. His most spectacular moment came deep into stoppage time. Lionel Messi, who had earlier hit the post with a free kick, unleashed a signature curling effort from 20 yards out that was destined for the top corner. In a moment of incredible athleticism, El Shenawy launched himself across his goal, getting his fingertips to the ball to tip it onto the crossbar. It was a world-class, game-saving stop that denied Messi a storybook winner and ensured the Egyptian side would leave with a deserved share of the points.
Starting Lineups and Tactical Setup
The starting XIs for both teams reflected their respective star power and tactical approaches.
Inter Miami (4-4-2): Óscar Ustari (GK); Ian Fray, Tomás Avilés, Maximiliano Falcón, Noah Allen; Tadeo Allende, Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi (C), Luis Suárez.
Head Coach: Javier Mascherano
Al Ahly (4-3-3): Mohamed El Shenawy (GK) (C); Mohamed Hany, Achraf Dari, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Koka; Hamdi Fathy, Marawan Attia, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane; Trezeguet, Wessam Abou Ali, Emam Ashour.
Head Coach: José Riveiro
Inter Miami lined up with their legendary core of Messi, Suárez, and Busquets, but it was Al Ahly’s cohesive and aggressive pressing in the first half that disrupted Miami’s rhythm. The second half saw Miami gain more control in the midfield, allowing them to better supply their superstar forwards and create the late chances that nearly won them the game.
A Missed Opportunity? What This Result Means for Both Teams
In the immediate aftermath of the match, both teams expressed a sense of a missed opportunity. Al Ahly was left to rue their inability to convert their first-half dominance and a crucial missed penalty into a victory. “We had a really good chance to win today,” said midfielder Taher Mohamed. “We missed a lot of chances, so I feel like we need to focus on our finishing.” For a team with so much experience on the Club World Cup stage, failing to capitalize on such a dominant period will be a source of frustration.
Inter Miami, on the other hand, felt that their strong second-half performance should have yielded a winning goal. “We leave with the feeling that we could have won it in the second half,” said coach Javier Mascherano. While a draw against the champions of Africa is a respectable result in their tournament debut, they know that in a difficult group that also features European giants Porto and Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, every point is precious. The goalless draw leaves Group A wide open, placing immense pressure on both teams to secure a victory in their next fixtures to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.
