Goalkeepers on top in Club World Cup opener | OneFootball

Al Ahly and Inter Miami put on an exciting display at the Hard Rock Stadium in a game that ultimately ended goalless

It was an opening of the Club World Cup that was dominated by goalkeepers.

Óscar Ustari stood out in the first half, even saving a penalty while  Moha El Shenawy was the star in the second half, with the crossbar also helping to stop Lionel Messi.

The game eventually finished 0-0 with both sides earning a point ahead of the clash between the other Group A teams, Palmeiras and Porto, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Al Ahly had enough chances to go into the first half at least a goal to the good but couldn't finish their chances, helped in part by the performance of Ustari.

The Egyptians showcased a quick and irresistible offensive transitions with Trezeguet and Wessam Abou causing problems for the Inter Miami defence.

Al Ahly got a penalty shortly before the break when Telasco Segovia bundled Zizo over in the box. Trezeguet took the shot but Ustari got a strong hand to it with the striker unable to finish on the rebound.

Then in the final seconds of first half stoppage time, Luis Suárez had a shot cleared off the line by Abou to keep the scores level going into the break.

If Ustari was the key figure of the first half, El Shenawy secured the draw in the second half.

Inter Miami improved as the game went on, and had the first big chance with Tadeo Allende, who, with a rebound in the box, shot powerfully, but El Shenawy came out to narrow the angle.

Al Ahly was not as effective in counterattacks in the second half. They were blocked by the opposition and were also more imprecise. The substitutions did not have an effect, and this time it seemed that Inter Miami was closer to victory.

Late on, Lionel Messi almost bagged a winner but his effort was deflected onto the crossbar by El Shenawy to ensure a goalless draw in Miami.