Inter Miami CF made a historic debut in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 tonight, marking another significant milestone for the club just six years after its establishment. The match concluded in a tense 0-0 draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly FC in the tournament's opening fixture, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination on the global stage.
In its brief history, Inter Miami has already achieved remarkable success, winning two titles and setting a new record for points in a single MLS regular season. The team's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup underscores its rapid ascent in the world of soccer, as they now compete among elite clubs from around the globe.
The first half of the match presented a closely contested battle, with Inter Miami demonstrating strong defensive capabilities. Goalkeeper Ustari was crucial to the team’s performance, making several key saves. Notably, he showcased his quick reflexes by denying a powerful header from inside the box in the 33rd minute. Ustari further solidified his position as a standout player by saving a penalty from Al Ahly’s Trezeguet just before halftime.
Inter Miami's most significant opportunity in the first half arose just before the break, when Allende nearly connected with a well-placed delivery from Messi inside the box. However, the opposition’s defense executed a timely goal line clearance to keep the score level.
The second half continued to be a hard-fought affair, with Inter Miami pushing for a late winner. Substitute Fafa Picault came close in the 85th minute with a powerful header that was expertly tipped over the bar by Al Ahly’s goalkeeper. As the match approached its conclusion, Messi had a remarkable long-range attempt in the sixth minute of injury time, which struck the crossbar. Following that, a header from Falcón in the eighth minute of stoppage time was thwarted by another impressive save.
After the match, head coach Javier Mascherano reflected on the team's performance. “In the game as a whole, I think we were very nervous and anxious in the first half. That's also normal given the context and the atmosphere. In the second half, I think we improved a lot. We understood that we had to be more patient when moving the ball from one side to the other. We played in the opponent's half, created a lot of chances, and the truth is that we leave with the feeling that we could have won in the second half,” he stated, highlighting the team’s growth and potential.
Next up for Inter Miami is group stage action in the Club World Cup, where they are set to face Porto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The match is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, at 3 p.m. ET. Fans are eager to see how the team builds on this performance as they continue their journey in this prestigious tournament.
