Inter Miami CF and Al Ahly played out a 0-0 draw on the opening night of FIFA's Club World Cup on Saturday (Jun 14).
Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian club Al Ahly on Saturday (Jun 14) as FIFA's new 32-team tournament got off to a smooth start in Florida. Lionel Messi was denied a storybook stoppage-time winner when he saw his curling shot from 20 yards out tipped on to the bar by Mohamed El Shenawy as Miami piled on the pressure in the final minutes of the game.
Al Ahly were left to rue a first-half penalty from Egypt international Trezeguet which was saved by Miami's Argentine keeper Oscar Ustari. But the Egyptians also had El Shenawy to thank for another fine save in the dying seconds to keep out a header from Maxi Falcon as Miami pushed for three points in the Group A clash.
For organisers FIFA, who have faced heavy skepticism over the necessity for the tournament, the absence of a goal was the only disappointment on a night that delivered everything else that their president Gianni Infantino had hoped for from the opening night.
Fears of a low crowd for the opener eased as the seats in the 64,000 venue began to fill up with the stadium almost full at kick-off time.
Thousands of fans of Al Ahly, record 12 times African Champions League winner and 45-time league champions of Egypt, arrived at Hard Rock Stadium well ahead of kick-off and made their presence felt with singing and chanting.
The stadium, home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins, witnessed chaotic scenes last year at the final of the Copa America between Argentina and Colombia where fans broke into the ground after long delays to enter.
Inter Miami will 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 Club World Cup continues Sunday with UEFA Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain taking on Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich playing Auckland City.
