Inter Miami vs Al Ahly—Ustari’s Penalty Heroics Steal the Show
Inter Miami and Egyptian giants Al Ahly battled to a thrilling 0-0 draw on opening night of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup at a near-capacity Hard Rock Stadium. The crowd of 60,927 showed global interest while Argentina legend Messi dazzled in a second-half resurgence—yet it was veteran keeper Oscar Ustari who earned the spotlight with a remarkable performance.
Table of Contents
Catch the key moments—including Ustari’s penalty save and Messi’s near‑goals:
Ustari’s Moment of Glory
It was Oscar Ustari, formerly a backup and now a standout starter, who emerged as the defining figure by halting Trézéguet’s first-half penalty and making a total of eight saves—cementing his status as player of the match. His heroics mask deeper defensive cracks but kept Inter alive against a potent Al Ahly attack.
Al Ahly’s First-Half Dominance
Al Ahly nearly struck early when Emam Ashour carved open Miami’s defense, and Wessam Abou Ali thought he’d netted before being ruled offside. Yet Ustari’s brilliance and a missed penalty kept the match level. Despite their dominance, their failure to convert puts pressure on them to beat either Porto or Palmeiras next.
Messi’s Spark in the Second Half
After a sluggish first 45 minutes, Lionel Messi ignited Inter’s second-half revival. He struck the bar with a free kick, nearly assisted Picault, and forced more heroic saves—though the breakthrough eluded Miami. It was enough to shift momentum but not the result.
Atmosphere & Event Highlights
- Huge Attendance: Over 60,900 fans packed the stadium—FIFA’s response to pre-match attendance concerns. Fans in pink and red created an electric vibe.
- Pre-match Entertainment: Ex-legends took on YouTuber IShowSpeed in a halftime crossbar contest, with Del Piero emerging victorious.
- Broadcast Enhancements: Novel ref-cam from Alireza Faghani added freshness to the viewing experience
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Uptempo crowd, stellar individual performances—eager crowds, Ustari’s heroics, Messi’s brilliance—but both sides must sharpen finishing to secure qualification. What do you think—should Miami tighten defensively, or will Al Ahly rally? Leave a comment and share if you enjoyed the analysis!
