Key Highlights:
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Star-studded lineups: Inter Miami featured big names like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, under coach Javier Mascherano, capitalizing on home advantage.
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Al Ahly’s discipline: The Egyptian champions remained compact and tactically astute, refusing to be overwhelmed by Messi’s brilliance.
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Goalkeeper heroics: Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy produced several crucial saves, including a penalty stop, while Inter Miami’s Óscar Ustari also impressed, thwarting shots from Messi and Co.
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Deadlock at the final whistle: Neither side could break through, resulting in a goalless (0–0) draw witnessed by over 60,000 fans.
Match Analysis
Inter Miami aimed to hit the ground running, but defensive frailties—which saw them concede 16 goals in seven MLS matches—hampered their rhythm . Meanwhile, Al Ahly, riding high on six consecutive wins in domestic play, showcased tactical solidity and fierce resilience.
Despite a flurry of shots, both sides were kept at bay by strong goalkeeping and stout defending. The tactical chess match ended in stalemate, setting the tone for a fiercely contested group campaign in Group A alongside Palmeiras and FC Porto.
What’s Next?
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Inter Miami will now face FC Porto, while Al Ahly takes on Palmeiras in their next Group A games.
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The draw leaves both teams with work to do—but a clean sheet gives Al Ahly a defensive confidence boost, while Miami knows they need more cutting edge upfront.
Bottom Line
The clash delivered drama, tension, and tactical intrigue—even if it didn’t produce goals. For Inter Miami, home fans will expect more creativity and cohesion up front. For Al Ahly, the result underscores their ability to hold their own on the world stage. Both sides will head into their next games eager to assert dominance in Group A.
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