Over 60,000 fans filled Hard Rock Stadium on the night of June 14, 2025, ready to witness Lionel Messi’s first Club World Cup appearance. What unfolded was a tense, grinding affair that produced moments of genuine drama — most notably Messi’s 90th-minute curling effort that rattled the bar before being cleared.

Final Score: Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami ·
Date: June 14, 2025 ·
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami ·
Competition: FIFA Club World Cup Group A ·
Key Moment: Messi late effort (90+5)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 0-0 draw in Club World Cup opener (DAZN)
  • June 14, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium (ESPN)
  • Over 60,000 attendance (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact attendance figure (reports say “over 60,000”)
  • Full post-match injury updates
  • Detailed substitution lineup breakdown
3Timeline signal
  • First half: Al Ahly attacks, Ustari saves penalty (ESPN)
  • Second half: Messi free kick hits post (ESPN)
  • 90+5: Messi’s curling shot hits bar (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • Inter Miami vs Porto (Thursday) (DAZN)
  • Al Ahly vs Palmeiras (DAZN)
  • Group A top two advance to round of 16 (DAZN)

The table below consolidates key match data from the Al Ahly vs Inter Miami clash.

Key match data from the Al Ahly vs Inter Miami clash
Detail Value
Final Score 0-0
Date June 14, 2025
Venue Hard Rock Stadium
Competition FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Group Group A (opener)
Kickoff Time 20:00 local
Attendance Over 60,000
Tournament Run June 14 – July 13, 2025

What happened to Al Ahly vs Inter Miami?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opened with a fixture that promised spectacle and delivered tension instead. ESPN recorded the match as Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami CF, with both clubs walking away with a single point each. The result mattered less than the narrative: this was Inter Miami’s historic debut on club football’s biggest stage, and they survived a ferocious first-half onslaught from the Egyptians to earn it.

Match Summary

Al Ahly, the 12-time African champions, dominated the opening 45 minutes with waves of attacks that tested Inter Miami’s backline repeatedly. FIFA’s official match report credited goalkeepers with starring roles on the night. Oscar Ustari was the hero of the first half, diving to palm away a penalty from Trézéguet after 35 minutes of sustained Egyptian pressure.

The second half told a different story. Inter Miami’s club website confirmed this was their first Club World Cup appearance in the club’s sixth year of existence. As the match wore on, the American side grew into the contest, and the crowd sensed something building.

Key Events

  • 35′: Oscar Ustari saves Trézéguet’s penalty
  • 70′: Messi’s free kick rattles the post
  • 90+5′: Messi’s curling effort clips the bar and bounces clear
  • 90+9′: Final whistle — 0-0
The upshot

Neither team left Hard Rock Stadium with maximum points, but the way Inter Miami dug in during the first half — and the way Messi nearly stole it at the death — meant everyone in Group A now knows this side cannot be taken lightly.

Where can I watch Al Ahly vs Miami?

Fans who missed the live action had options for catching up. The match aired free on DAZN’s global platform, making it accessible to viewers without a paywall blocking the stream.

Live Streams

  • DAZN — free broadcast for the full match
  • FIFA+ — official tournament highlights

Replays

Extended highlights featuring Messi, Luis Suárez, and Oscar Ustari are available on DAZN’s YouTube channel. FIFA’s official YouTube also carries match footage from the opening Group A fixture.

Did Messi score vs Al Ahly?

No. Lionel Messi did not find the net on the night, though he came as close as anyone in that stadium. ESPN’s detailed match report documented his two most dangerous moments: a first-half free kick that struck the post, and a 90th-minute curling effort that clipped the bar before being cleared. Both efforts drew gasps from the 60,000-strong crowd.

Messi’s Performance

As FIFA’s match report noted, “While all eyes pre-match were on Lionel Messi, it was the goalkeepers who starred for both clubs.” This framing captures the paradox of the evening: Messi’s near-misses kept everyone watching, but the defensive performances of Oscar Ustari and Mohamed El Shenawy stole the tactical headlines.

Chances Created

  • Free kick (first half): struck post from distance
  • Curling effort (90+5): clipped bar, cleared by defense
  • General play: involved in build-up but crowded out by Al Ahly’s defensive shape
Why this matters

Messi’s near-miss in added time could have silenced 60,000 Egyptian fans and announced Inter Miami as genuine contenders. Instead, the point earned feels like a point dropped — at least in the short-term narrative.

Where is Ahly vs Inter Miami?

Venue Details

The match took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. FIFA+ confirmed kickoff was scheduled for 20:00 local time on June 14, 2025. The stadium’s capacity and the local fanbase made it an ideal setting for Inter Miami’s historic debut.

For Miami-based fans, Hard Rock Stadium sits centrally in South Florida’s sports corridor, accessible from Broward and Palm Beach counties. The venue’s NFL roots meant infrastructure for a 60,000-strong soccer crowd was already in place.

What time is Al Ahly vs Miami?

The match kicked off at 20:00 local time on the evening of June 14, 2025. FIFA’s official schedule lists the Group A opener under this timing, with the full 90 minutes plus added time stretching until approximately 22:00.

Kickoff Time

  • Local (Eastern Time): 20:00 ET
  • Tournament: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage
  • Match duration: 90+9 minutes (extended)

Post-Match Coverage

For fans seeking post-match analysis, DAZN Football’s YouTube published a full match highlights summary within hours of the final whistle. ESPN’s match center provided real-time stats, lineup breakdowns, and post-game quotes.

Match Timeline

Key moments from the Al Ahly vs Inter Miami Club World Cup opener
Time Event
June 14, 2025 — 20:00 Kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium
35′ Oscar Ustari saves Trézéguet’s penalty
HT 0-0 Al Ahly dominated first half; Inter Miami survived
70′ Messi’s free kick rattles the post
90+5′ Messi’s curling effort clips the bar
90+9′ Final whistle: 0-0 draw confirmed
Thursday Inter Miami vs Porto; Al Ahly vs Palmeiras

Confirmed vs Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Final score: 0-0
  • Date: June 14, 2025
  • Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
  • Attendance: Over 60,000
  • Messi near-miss: 90+5 curling effort hit bar
  • Oscar Ustari saved Trézéguet’s penalty
  • Both teams earned 1 point from the draw
  • Group A includes Al Ahly, Inter Miami, Palmeiras, Porto

What’s unclear

  • Exact attendance figure beyond “over 60,000”
  • Full lineup substitutions
  • Post-match injury updates
  • Cards issued during match

What people said

The game came down to the final moments of the 90+5 when Lionel Messi used his golden left foot to soar the ball high into the air.

— DAZN Reporter, DAZN

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were held to a scoreless draw against Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday night.

— ESPN News Services, ESPN

While all eyes pre-match were on Lionel Messi, it was the goalkeepers who starred for both clubs.

— FIFA Match Report, FIFA.com

The implication for Group A is straightforward: no team can afford another slip. Inter Miami’s club website noted the side had already set a new MLS record for points in a single regular season before arriving at this tournament, and the gutsy point against Al Ahly suggests they have the defensive steel to back up that pedigree. Thursday’s clash with Porto will tell us whether this draw was a launching pad or a ceiling.

Related reading: Who Won Ballon d’Or 2025 – Official Results and Highlights · Posiciones de Selección de Fútbol de México – FIFA Rank 16th 2026

Messi’s curling effort in added time draw highlights recaprattled the crossbar}, encapsulating the tense goalless stalemate in the tournament opener.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Al Ahly vs Inter Miami?

The match ended 0-0. Both Al Ahly and Inter Miami earned one point each from the draw in their opening Group A fixture of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Who scored in the Al Ahly vs Inter Miami match?

No goals were scored. Lionel Messi came closest with a curling effort in the 90+5 minute that hit the bar, but neither side could find the net.

What are the highlights of Al Ahly vs Inter Miami?

Key highlights include Oscar Ustari’s penalty save from Trézéguet, Messi’s free kick that struck the post, and his 90+5 curling effort that clipped the bar. Extended highlights are available on DAZN’s YouTube channel.

What are the lineups for Al Ahly vs Inter Miami?

Full detailed lineups are available through ESPN’s match center. Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari started in goal, while Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy manned the opposite goal. Both clubs fielded competitive XI across the pitch.

What are the stats from Al Ahly vs Inter Miami?

The match lasted 90+9 minutes. Al Ahly dominated the first half with sustained attacks, while Inter Miami grew into the game after the break. Messi had two notable efforts on target, and Oscar Ustari’s penalty save proved crucial.

Where to buy tickets for Al Ahly vs Inter Miami?

The match has already taken place (June 14, 2025). For future Club World Cup fixtures or Inter Miami matches at Hard Rock Stadium, tickets are available through official club channels and Ticketmaster.