The inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup kicked off with a tense 0-0 stalemate between Inter Miami and Egypt's Al Ahly at Florida's Hard Rock Stadium. The match saw Al Ahly dominate early chances, including a disallowed 29th-minute goal by Wessam Abou Ali for offside, while Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made multiple critical saves.
Lionel Messi nearly broke the deadlock for Miami just before halftime, rattling the crossbar with a signature edge-of-the-box strike. The second half saw renewed urgency from both sides, but Mohamed El Shenawy's late save against Fafa Picault preserved the clean sheet for Al Ahly.
The result marks Miami's first scoreless match since May and sets up pivotal Group A clashes on Thursday, with Miami facing Porto and Al Ahly taking on Brazil's Palmeiras. Porto and Palmeiras will first meet Sunday in a match that could reshape the group's dynamics.
