Opening match against Al-Ahly: Miami lags far behind: disappointing Club World Cup start for Messi

No winner in the first match of the Club World Cup. For superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the match against Al-Ahly was not a pleasant one for a long time. Only in the second half did the Argentine's class shine through. It still wasn't enough for a goal.

Plenty of chances, no goals: The opening match of the Club World Cup between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Al-Ahly of Egypt ended goalless. The Cairo club was clearly the better team in the first half in front of 60,927 spectators in Miami, missing a penalty. Inter Miami missed several great opportunities after the break in the opening match of the XXL tournament in the USA.

Al-Ahly dominated almost the entire first half. Messi and Co. were constantly on the back foot and only had goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to thank for the goalless game after 45 minutes. The 38-year-old Argentinian saved his team from conceding several times. The highlight was his save from a penalty kick by Trezeguet shortly before halftime. "He kept us alive," said Miami coach Javier Mascherano.

Messi only became more visible after the break. The veteran set the tempo with his attempted shot after 57 minutes. He set up Marcelo Weigandt's chance (60'). The superstar's free kick hit the side netting (64'). Substitute Fafa Picault, after a pass from Messi, was denied by Al-Ahly keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy with a header from close range (85'). Superstar Messi squandered the final chance: the Egyptian goalkeeper tipped his shot over the bar in stoppage time.

On Sunday (6 p.m. CEST), FC Bayern Munich's Club World Cup begins with a match against Auckland City of New Zealand. Borussia Dortmund is the second German participant. BVB will face Brazilian club Fluminense in its first match on Tuesday.