Rafael Nogueira
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup got off to a dramatic start as Inter Miami and Al Ahly played out a tense 0-0 draw at Hard Rock Stadium. While all eyes were on Lionel Messi, it was veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari who emerged as the unexpected hero in this tournament curtain-raiser.
For Al Ahly, this result marks only their third draw in their last 28 CWC appearances (W11, L14), but they will feel they left points on the table after dominating large spells of the first half.
Ustari’s 🧱Wall-Like Resistance
The Argentine shot-stopper was in inspired form, denying Wessam Abou Ali with a sharp save just eight minutes in, then turning away Emam Ashour moments later. Although Ali found the net midway through the half, the offside flag cut short any celebration. Ustari wasn’t done — he later produced a stunning reflex stop from point-blank range to deny Achraf Dari, showcasing the form that once saw him hailed as Argentina’s next big thing.
Inter Miami, under the guidance of Javier Mascherano, were far too open defensively, with their midfield repeatedly carved open by Al Ahly’s rapid transitions. The pressure nearly told before halftime when Zizo won a penalty after a smart dart into the box. Yet again, Ustari stood tall — diving low to stop Trezeguet’s spot-kick before reacting instinctively to save the rebound.
Al Ahly 🫸Push, But Miami ⚔️Survive
Despite sustained pressure, Al Ahly couldn’t break the deadlock. A goal-line clearance from Ali was all that stood between Inter Miami and a halftime deficit. But after the break, Mascherano’s halftime talk sparked visible improvement. Miami’s attack came alive briefly when Tadeo Allende found space in the box, only for Mohamed El Shenawy to deny him with a commanding spread save.
Late 🎭Drama, But Still No 💥Breakthrough
As temperatures soared, intensity dipped. Both teams struggled for rhythm in the final 20 minutes — until a moment of Messi magic reignited the crowd. The Argentine maestro curled a vintage effort that El Shenawy miraculously tipped onto the bar. The resulting corner led to chaos in the box but ultimately fizzled out.
While the scoreboard remained unchanged, the match delivered in every other department — flair, tactical battles, and top-tier goalkeeping. In a group that also features FC Porto and Palmeiras, both clubs know that qualification won’t come easy. But after a high-octane start, they’ve shown they can compete.
Betting Insight: If Ustari maintains this level of form, Inter Miami’s clean sheet odds in upcoming fixtures could offer strong value. Likewise, under 2.5 goals might become a reliable market in Group A battles, given the opening signs.