FIFA Club World Cup begins with 0-0 draw between Inter Miami, Al Ahly

Inter Miami and Al Ahly battled to a 0-0 draw in the opening match at the first-ever 32-team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday.

Al Ahly, who boast plenty of experience competing at the tournament's pre-expansion version, created more chances in the first half. Emam Ashour's shot from close range in the seventh minute was blocked by goalkeeper Oscar Ustari's left leg. Wessam Abou Ali appeared to score for Al Ahly in the 29th minute, but the effort was ruled out, as he was judged to be offside when he received the ball.

Three minutes later, Achraf Dari's header was rejected by Ustari, who then saved Miami again in the 41st minute when the Egyptian side earned a penalty kick. Trezeguet's first shot was blocked, and his second attempt ended up in the goalkeeper's hands.

Inter Miami's first scoring chance came in the 44th minute when Lionel Messi's shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar. Six minutes before the end of regulation time in the second half, the Argentinian superstar sent in a cross from the left that set up a header for Fafa Picault, but Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy blocked the attempt.

Miami failed to find the net for the first time since May 19, but kept a clean sheet for the first time since April 19. They will face Porto and Al Ahly will meet Palmeiras on Thursday. Before those contests, however, Porto and Palmeiras will go head-to-head on Sunday.