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FIFA Club World Cup: Messi denied late winner as Inter Miami held by Al Ahly (VIDEO)

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FIFA Club World Cup: Messi denied late winner as Inter Miami held by Al Ahly (VIDEO)

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Egypt’s Al Ahly on Saturday night, as FIFA’s expanded 32-team tournament kicked off with an intense but scoreless showdown witnessed by 60,927 fans at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida

Messi came agonizingly close to stealing a dramatic win in stoppage time with a trademark curling effort from just outside the box, but Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy produced a spectacular fingertip save to push the ball onto the crossbar, preserving the stalemate.

Backed by a passionate crowd of over 10,000 traveling supporters, Al Ahly had their own chances to secure victory.

Fueled by Al Ahly’s legacy as 12-time African Champions League winners and 45-time Egyptian league champions, fans packed the stadium, echoing with chants, songs, and relentless energy.

As the game wore on, El Shenawy continued to shine, pulling off another crucial save in the dying seconds to deny a powerful header from Maxi Falcon, ensuring both teams shared the points in this Group A showdown.

While the lack of goals may have been a letdown for some, FIFA will likely be satisfied with the strong turnout and smooth organization for the tournament’s opening night—particularly amid initial concerns about attendance. Despite doubts, the 64,000-seat venue was nearly filled by kickoff, silencing fears of empty stands.

Al Ahly fans, buoyed by the club’s status as 12-time African Champions League winners and 45-time Egyptian league champions, turned out in force and filled the stadium with chants, songs, and unwavering energy.

Security protocols around the venue were tight but efficient, with well-managed ticketing and entry checks helping avoid the chaotic scenes that marred the 2023 Copa America final held at the same stadium. There was also no sign that broader political tensions, such as the U.S. administration’s immigration policies, had any impact on the diverse crowd, particularly in heavily Hispanic South Florida.

Despite the 0-0 scoreline, the match was full of action. Al Ahly had the better of the opening half, carving open Miami’s defense with relative ease. Emam Ashour was denied early on after a clever assist from Trezeguet, and Palestinian forward Wessam Abou Ali had a goal disallowed for offside before seeing another powerful shot tipped over by Ustari.

The penalty came when Zizo was brought down by Telasco Segovia, but Trezeguet’s tame attempt was easily blocked, and he failed to capitalize on the rebound.

Inter Miami looked far more dangerous after the interval. Messi nearly broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a precise free-kick that clipped the outside of the post and brushed the side netting, briefly fooling parts of the crowd into believing he had scored. His closest moment came late on after a clever short-corner routine, but El Shenawy again stood tall.

Next up for Miami is a clash with Portuguese giants Porto in Atlanta on Thursday, followed by a home game against Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras on Monday. Although facing a challenging group, head coach Javier Mascherano remained hopeful.

Speaking after the game, Mascherano said the team showed their true potential after the break and insisted that if they play with similar confidence moving forward, they can compete with any side in the tournament.

Al Ahly’s newly appointed manager Jose Riveiro, leading the team for the first time, felt his players should have wrapped up the match in the opening 45 minutes. He emphasized that missed chances were costly but was deeply impressed by the atmosphere created by the club’s loyal fans.

Riveiro noted that playing in Florida felt more like a home match than a neutral venue, thanks to the overwhelming support from the stands—something he said is rare and special, and speaks volumes about the club’s global appeal.

Inter Miami vs Al Ahly Highlights

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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