Al Ahly were left frustrated after a goalless draw against Inter Miami in their Club World Cup opener.
Despite dominating early play, missed chances and Miami’s heat held them back from victory.
African football powerhouse Al Ahly FC were left to rue missed chances as they kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025 campaign with a goalless draw against Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The match, which marked the opening fixture of this historic Club World Cup edition, was filled with drama, energy, and missed opportunities. Al Ahly dominated the first half with quick transitions and high pressing, but their inability to capitalize on golden chances, including a missed penalty by Trezeguet just before halftime, proved costly.
The Red Eagles, who opened the inaugural edition of the tournament, had hoped to start strong this time around. Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali came close to giving them an early lead, even finding the net once, but his effort was disallowed for offside. After the match, he expressed his deep disappointment, insisting that the result felt like two points lost rather than one gained.
“We could have scored three or four goals in that first half alone,” Abou Ali said. “No disrespect to Inter Miami, but we were clearly the better side early on. Unfortunately, we didn’t take our chances, and now we have to fight even harder in the next match.”
The second half saw the tide shift. Inter Miami responded with improved intensity and created several dangerous moments, but Al Ahly’s veteran goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, stood tall. His reflexes and commanding presence ensured that the Egyptians avoided defeat, despite being put under pressure.
El Shenawy acknowledged the team’s drop in performance after the break, citing the sweltering Miami humidity as a factor. “We knew they’d come out stronger in the second half,” he said. “The heat took a toll on us, but in the end, we earned a point against a very strong opponent.”
Newly appointed head coach Jose Riveiro, managing his first competitive game for Al Ahly, echoed the sentiments of his players. He was impressed by his team’s dominance in the first half but admitted there were areas to fix going forward.
“We controlled the game early on and created enough chances to be ahead,” Riveiro noted. “But our transition play after the break wasn’t sharp enough. We lost some rhythm, misplaced passes, and struggled to keep our shape. Still, it’s encouraging to see the team respond well in challenging conditions.”
Riveiro emphasized that despite the draw, there were many positives to build on and assured fans that the squad would be better prepared for their next challenge, a crucial Group A clash against Brazilian giants SE Palmeiras on June 19.
“We’re going to learn from this performance and get back to work,” he added. “Palmeiras is a tough team, and we’ll need to be sharper. But I believe in this group. This is a huge club with passionate fans, and we’ll fight to make them proud.”
The match also underscored the magnitude of the tournament for Al Ahly’s global fanbase. Thousands of their supporters turned up in Miami to cheer them on, creating an electrifying atmosphere that didn’t go unnoticed by the players. Abou Ali credited the fans with energizing the team, saying, “Their presence lifted us. We wanted to win it for them.”
While the draw keeps both teams in contention, Al Ahly will now need a victory in their next outing to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive. The Club World Cup journey has only just begun, and for the Red Eagles, the mission is far from over.
