Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami battles to scoreless attract Membership World Cup opener

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have been held to a scoreless draw in opposition to Egypt’s Al Ahly within the opening sport of the Membership World Cup on Saturday night time.

In entrance of greater than 60,000 followers on the Onerous Rock Stadium, Miami survived a first-half onslaught by 12-time African champion Al Ahly, who was denied a possible profitable purpose from the penalty spot when Mahmoud Trezeguet‘s effort was stopped by goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.

Miami had scoring probabilities within the second half, with Messi shaving the submit with a free kick after which hitting the bar with a curling effort from lengthy vary in added time.

Key second

Miami needed to depend on veteran Argentine goalkeeper Ustari to maintain the sport degree within the first half, with the 38-year-old pulling off quite a lot of saves as Al Ahly dominated the probabilities. He produced an important double save simply earlier than halftime — blocking Trezeguet’s Forty third-minute penalty after which getting up shortly to disclaim the ahead once more on the rebound.

Takeaways

A draw leaves each groups with a battle to advance from Group A with harder exams more likely to come in opposition to Brazilian large Palmeiras and Porto from Portugal. The highest two advance to the spherical of 16.

Miami could be inspired by its efficiency within the second half after being dominated within the first half. Inter Miami had the higher probabilities after the break, with Messi’s free kick and curling lengthy shot each hitting the woodwork.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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