On a night built for spectacle, it was veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari who delivered the drama, rescuing Inter Miami from defeat in a tense 0-0 draw with Al Ahly to kick off the revamped FIFA Club World Cup.
With Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez headlining in front of over 60,000 fans at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, few expected a 38-year-old goalkeeper to become the night’s protagonist. But Ustari’s eight-save masterclass, including a decisive penalty stop from Trezeguet, kept Inter Miami afloat against a sharper, faster Al Ahly side.
It was a long-awaited moment for the Argentine, who stepped into the starting role after Drake Callender’s injury in January. The penalty save was his first since October 2022, and it came after a barrage of first-half pressure that exposed Miami’s defensive frailties. Without Ustari’s poise and reflexes, the match might have slipped away by halftime.
Messi, only four days removed from international duty, was mostly quiet early on but grew into the match. His late free-kick effort grazed the bar, and a looping header nearly teed up a winner for Fafà Picault. Still, Inter Miami managed just five shots on target, three fewer than Ustari’s save count.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, will rue their missed chances. Emam Ashour carved open the defence in the opening minutes, and Wessam Abou Ali had a goal ruled out for offside before Trezeguet’s spot-kick miss. They dominated the first half but lacked the cutting edge to convert control into a lead.
The Egyptians arrived with hopes of building on their third-place finish in 2023, but now face an uphill battle in a deceptively open Group A. Matches against Porto and Palmeiras loom, and they may look back at this as a squandered opportunity.
FIFA, at least, will consider the night a success. A crowd of 60,927 turned up, helped by waves of vocal Al Ahly supporters to deliver an atmosphere that exceeded expectations. The pre-match theatrics and halftime crossbar challenge added flair, but on the pitch, the football reminded everyone why this expanded tournament is still finding its feet.
