Inter Miami: Messi draws 0-0 with Al Ahly in the opening match of the Club World Cup

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Egypt's Al Ahly on Saturday in the opening match of the Club World Cup being held in the United States. After the opening ceremony, with 61,000 fans in attendance at Hard Rock Stadium, Al Ahly got off to a flying start, creating several dangerous chances.

Wessam Abou Ali twice, Emam Ashour, and Achraf Dari challenged Argentine goalkeeper Óscar Ustari, who emerged as the match's most valuable player. When Inter were at their weakest, Messi appeared towards the end of the first half to leave their opponents in their wake and revive his team with a few chances.

The Egyptian side's clearest chance came in the 42nd minute, with a penalty saved by Ustari, who dived to his right and saved Trezeguet. Inter Miami responded in the 45th minute with a cross that Tadeo Allende finished off, but Abou Ali saved the goal with a pirouette off the line.

The "Garzas" came close to opening the scoring again in the 50th minute with a shot from Allende that was saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy, with a free kick from Messi in the 64th that grazed the post after a deflection from Elshenawy, and with a header from Fafà Picault at the end.

In the next Group A match, on June 19, Inter will face Porto of Portugal, while Al Ahly will face Palmeiras of Brazil. The Club World Cup will run until July 13 in the United States. The winners of the 32-team competition, which will share a cash prize of $1 billion, will receive up to $125 million.