club world cup

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut ends scoreless against Al Ahly at the Club World Cup 2025

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a scoreless draw by Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Updated on June 15, 2025 11:40AM EDT

**© Megan Briggs/Getty Images)**Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts as Hussein Elshahat #13 of Al Ahly FC appears to be injured during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by Al Ahly in the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium, as both clubs earned a point to kick off Group A play.

The first half saw the Egyptian side take control early, showing more aggression and threatening to open the scoring. Al Ahly came closest when Mahmoud Trezeguet stepped up to take a penalty, only to be denied by Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who kept the match level with a crucial save.

The second half painted a different picture, with Inter Miami pressing forward and creating more chances. However, Al Ahly’s veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawi delivered a standout performance, turning away every effort, including a dangerous header off a Lionel Messi cross.

With the draw, both clubs sit on one point in Group A. Up next, Inter Miami will face Porto on Thursday, June 19, while Al Ahly will take on Palmeiras the same day.

10:08PM

Thanks for joining us!

Al Ahly and Inter Miami tied goalless at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 opening match and you lived every moment of this game here.

Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!

10:07PM

END OF THE GAME! (0-0)

The game between Al Ahly and Inter Miami ended in a goalless draw.

10:06PM

96'- El Shenawi again! (0-0)

After a strong header from Falcon, El Shenawi comes up big once again to keep Al Ahly level!

10:05PM

95'- What a save by El Shenawi! (0-0)

After a powerful long-range strike from Messi, El Shenawi tipped the ball over for a corner!

09:55PM

86'- Yellow card for Inter Miami (0-0)

Sergio Busquets receives a yellow card.

09:53PM

84'- Inter Miami miss a late chance! (0-0)

After a brilliant cross from Lionel Messi, Picault’s header was denied by Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, who pushed the ball out for a corner.

09:49PM

80'- Substitution in Inter Miami (0-0)

Tadeo Allende leaves the field to make way for Fafa Picault.

09:47PM

79'- Two substitutions in Al Ahly (0-0)

Wessam Abou Ali and Zizo leave the field to make way for Gradisar and Mohamed Afsha.

09:40PM

72'- Substitution in Inter Miami (0-0)

Telasco Segovia leaves the field to make way for Benjamin Cremaschi.

09:33PM

64'- Two substitutions for Al Ahly (0-0)

Trezeguet and Ben Romdhane leave the field to make way for Hussein El Sahat and Taher Mohamed.

09:32PM

63'- Messi misses Inter Miami's first goal! (0-0)

The Argentine shot a fantastic free kick that went close to the post!

09:20PM

49'- Allende misses a big chance! (0-0)

After a scramble in the box, Allende got on the end of the loose ball and fired a shot, but El Shenawy made a comfortable save.

09:13PM

45'- Substitution for Inter Miami (0-0)

Tomas Aviles leaves the field to make way for Marcelo Weigandt.

09:12PM

Second half underway! (0-0)

The game is on again!

08:55PM

End of the first half! (0-0)

The game goes goalless to halftime!

08:49PM

41'- Penalty for Al Ahly! (0-0)

The referee has awarded a penalty after Segovia fouled Zizo inside the box.

08:49PM

42'- USTARI SAVES INTER MIAMI! (0-0)

Oscar Ustari is the best player from Inter Miami right now and saves his team from Trezeguet’s penalty.

08:39PM

32'- Ustari with a huge save! (0-0)

First, Ustari made a brilliant save on a free kick from Wessam Abou Ali, tipping it out for a corner. Moments later, he came up big again, denying a close-range header that nearly gave the Al Ahly the opening goal.

08:37PM

30'- Another yellow card for Inter Miamia (0-0)

Federico Redondo receives the second yellow card of Inter Miami.

08:31PM

24'- First yellow card of the game (0-0)

Tomas Aviles of Inter Miami receives the first yellow card of the game.

08:26PM

19'- Al Ahly miss another chance! (0-0)

Fathy shot from inside the box but Ustari was there to save Inter Miami.

08:19PM

12'- First substitution of the game (0-0)

Emam Ashour of Al Ahly leaves the field injured to make way for Zizo.

08:15PM

8'- Ustari saves Inter Miami! (0-0)

Emam Ashour had the first chance of the game but Oscar Ustari saved the shot without problem.

08:07PM

GAME ON!

Al Ahly and Inter Miami have kicked off the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup!

07:48PM

The opening ceremony begins!

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 opening ceremony is underway!

07:39PM

Why is Jordi Alba not playing for Inter Miami?

Jordi Alba won't be part of the game today because he's currently dealing with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for several matches.

07:22PM

Both teams are doing warm-up activities!

Al Ahly and Inter Miami are doing warm-up activities on the field. The game will begin at the Hard Rock Stadium in a few minutes!

07:18PM

Al Ahly's lineup confirmed!

Al Ahly's starting lineup will be: Mohamed El Shenawi; Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Achraf Dari, Ahmed Koka; Marwan Ateya, Hamdy Fathy, Emam Ashour; Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’, Wessam Abou Ali.

07:06PM

Inter Miami's lineup confirmed!

Inter Miami’s starting XI will be: Oscar Ustari; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Tomas Aviles, Noah Allen; Telasco Segovia, Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Tadeo Allende; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.

07:00PM

What country is Al Ahly from?

Al Ahly from Egypt may not be a household name globally, but they stand as one of the most decorated clubs in African soccer history. The Cairo-based giants have secured a record 45 Egyptian Premier League titles and 39 Egypt Cup trophies, underlining their domestic dominance.

Their success extends well beyond national borders. Internationally, Al Ahly have claimed 12 CAF Champions League crowns, four African Cup Winners’ Cups, one CAF Confederation Cup, and eight CAF Super Cups—making them a perennial powerhouse on the continent.

06:45PM

Is Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami?

According to reports, Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup for Inter Miami in today’s opening match. His presence on the pitch will be vital to the team’s ambitions as they make their debut in the prestigious tournament.

06:30PM

Opening's game referee

Iranian-born Australian referee Alireza Faghani has been appointed to take charge of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener between Al Ahly and Inter Miami.

Faghani brings extensive international experience to the pitch. He previously officiated Lionel Messi during Argentina’s 4-3 loss to France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and also refereed an Al Ahly fixture against Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup.

The full officiating team for today's game:

Referee: Alireza Faghani (AUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchetinin (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Warwick Beecham (AUS)
Fourth Official: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
VAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
Assistant VAR (AVAR): Alejandro José Hernández (ESP)

06:15PM

Kick off time and how to watch

The clash between Al Ahly and Inter Miami for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will kick off at 8:00 PM (ET).

DAZN will be the option to watch Al Ahly vs Inter Miami in the USA. Other options are TBS, Univision, TUDN, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Sling Orange.

06:00PM

Al Ahly and Inter Miami clash for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener

Welcome to our live blog of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where Al Ahly and Inter Miami face off in the opening game at Hard Rock stadium.

This highly anticipated clash marks the beginning of a new era for the tournament, featuring 32 of the world’s top clubs.

Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute updates—you won’t want to miss a single moment of this thrilling showdown!

Gianni Taina

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