Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi and the Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba play, only managed a draw against the Egyptian Al Ahly (0-0) in the opening match of the Club World Cup, a game in which the brilliance of the Argentine captain was not enough and in which the Egyptian team missed a penalty.
In fact, the match was so difficult for the Miami team that the standout player of the match was their goalkeeper, the veteran Argentine Oscar Ustari.
Inter Miami entered the tournament in a controversial manner, as FIFA decided to invite them after finishing first in the regular season of the MLS 2024, but without the champions title, which ended up in the hands of LA Galaxy after the playoffs. Everything indicates that the team from South Florida is playing in the Club World Cup solely due to Messi’s popularity.
How was Messi’s first match in the Club World Cup?
“La Pulga”, about to turn 38 years old, shone above the rest of his teammates, including a Luis Suárez far from his best physical form, but it wasn’t enough. The former Barcelona player improved throughout the match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, created and sought opportunities, and even hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
The team led by Javier Mascherano lacked rhythm, and neither Busquets nor Federico Redondo found a way to sustain it. In fact, Al Ahly took advantage of every loss by the Americans to stand before goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who managed to keep a clean sheet with two crucial saves before halftime.
In the 43rd minute, Telasco Segovia brought down Zizo, who had entered the field of play for the injured Ashour, and the referee did not hesitate to award a penalty. Wessam Abou Ali, also known as Trézéguet, stepped up to take the penalty kick, but the Argentine goalkeeper guessed his intentions and prevented the goal.
In the Egyptian area, meanwhile, El-Shenawy thwarted an Olympic goal attempt by Messi in the first 45 minutes, although the worst would come in the second half when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner began to hit his stride.
He created at least three dangerous plays, one of them wasted by former Celta player Tadeo Allende when he only had to shoot under the crossbar, and he came close to scoring on a free kick that went wide of the goal. In extra time, the crossbar also denied the Argentine victory.
In this way, both teams end up with one point in Group A, which they share with the Portuguese Porto and the Brazilian Palmeiras, who will face each other this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.