Inter Miami 0-0 Al Ahly result: Lionel Messi denied dramatic late winner in FIFA Club World Cup opener dominated by goalkeeper heroics – tntsports.co.uk

MESSI DENIED LATE WINNER AS GOALKEEPERS SHINE IN 0-0 DRAW

Lionel Messi almost produced a last-gasp winner as his Inter Miami side were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw with Egyptian champions Al Ahly in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

The Argentina icon saw an audacious chip tipped onto the bar by the excellent Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy deep in added time before El Shenawy then used his head to prevent a Maximiliano Falcón header from finding the net seconds later.

In truth, a goalless draw between the Group A rivals was about right, with the home side recovering strongly after 12-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly dominated the first period on a hot and humid night.

Indeed, it was Inter goalkeeper Oscar Ustari who produced a player-of-the-match display with several outstanding stops, including a fine save from a Trezeguet penalty on 43 minutes after Zizo had been felled by Telasco Segovia.

“It was a great performance and we knew it was going to be difficult and so many of us are enjoying this experience – including me at my age – and I think we did really well today,” said Ustari on Channel 5.

“We have to go game by game, it’s a really special tournament.

“Now we have to rest well and we go again”.

The draw is not the ideal outcome for both sides, with Al Ahly next facing Palmeiras of Brazil on Thursday as Inter take on former UEFA Champions League winners Porto.