The opening match of the Club World Cup between Inter Miami and Al Ahly saw plenty of chances being created by both sides, but lacked tactical finishes.
Al Ahly and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami played to a scoreless draw in their opening Club World Cup Group A match, the same group as FC Porto and Palmeiras.
The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida, was far from uneventful despite the 0-0 scoreline.
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Inter Miami vs Al Ahly: First Half
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The Egyptian side dominated the first half, creating several scoring opportunities but finding themselves repeatedly denied by Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
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The veteran Argentine shot-stopper even saved a penalty from David Trezeguet in the 42nd minute, awarded after former Casa Pia player Telasco Segovia brought down Ahmed Sayed, popularly known as Zizo.
Zizo had replaced Emam Ashour in the 14th minute and was later substituted for Mohamed Afsha in the 79th minute inside the box.
From the outset, Inter Miami appeared heavily reliant on Lionel Messi, looking to the Argentine star for nearly every attacking move and favouring a central passing game.
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Their players were also often spread too far apart when not in possession, leading to a somewhat fragile defensive transition and allowing Al Ahly to launch several dangerous counter-attacks.
Inter Miami came closest to scoring just before halftime, but an Al Ahly defender cleared the ball off the line following a threatening effort from Allende.
Inter Miami vs Al Ahly: Second half
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Inter Miami emerged in the second half with renewed energy and a different tactical approach. Manager Javier Mascherano had substituted centre-back Tomas Aviles at the break.
The young Argentinian was already on a yellow card and had risked being sent off just before halftime with a harsh challenge. He was replaced by Marcelo Weigandt.
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Inter Miami then sought to take control of the game, although Al Ahly continued to threaten Ustari's goal with a few long-range shots.
Lionel Messi nearly broke the deadlock with a free-kick that curled just wide of the post, momentarily fooling the crowd into thinking he had scored. Al Ahly keeper Mohamed El Shenawy, however, appeared to have the situation under control.
In the 85th minute, El Shenawy produced a brilliant save, diving to tip Haitian forward Fafà Picault’s header over the bar after Messi had delivered a perfect cross from the left wing.
In stoppage time, a cross-shot from Lionel Messi struck the post, with El Shenawy making another save. From the ensuing corner, the Egyptian keeper again denied Inter Miami, this time palming away a header from center-back Maximiliano Falcon.
These two late saves came after Oscar Ustari had already been named FIFA's Man of the Match. Inter Miami will next face FC Porto on Thursday, after Palmeiras plays Al Ahly on the same day.