Goalkeeper Ustari shines with double penalty saves against Al Ahly in Club World Cup Por Luís Henrique Costa
6 min de leitura
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In a thrilling group stage match of the FIFA Club World Cup, Inter Miami faced Egypt’s Al Ahly in Miami on the night of June 14, 2025, at 9:00 PM. The ongoing game saw goalkeeper Ustari of Inter Miami emerge as the standout, saving two penalties taken by Trézéguet, ensuring a 0-0 draw until the 45th minute of the first half. The match, played under intense pressure from the Egyptian side, showcases the tournament’s competitiveness, with Al Ahly probing the opposition defense and Inter Miami holding firm with crucial saves. The packed stadium roars with every play, while Lionel Messi, though active, struggles against tight marking. Below, the coverage details the game’s most pivotal moments, focusing on the decisive plays and the goalkeeper’s stellar performance.
The clash kicked off with Al Ahly setting the pace. Early on, the Egyptian team controlled possession, while Inter Miami relied on counterattacks led by Messi. Al Ahly’s initial pressure led to a dangerous move at the 4th minute, when striker Abou Ali went one-on-one with Ustari but shot straight at the goalkeeper, making the save routine. Inter Miami, meanwhile, struggled to break through the opponent’s robust defense, with Messi neutralized in his early attempts to surge forward.
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- Key early moments:
- At 4 minutes, Abou Ali misses a clear chance, shooting straight at Ustari.
- At 7 minutes, Ustari makes a great save on a cross-shot from Ashour after a counterattack.
- At 13 minutes, Messi takes a free kick straight at goal, but the ball goes over.
The game grew heated with physical challenges and yellow cards. At the 24th minute, Inter Miami’s defender Avilés was booked for a hard foul on Zizo, who was starting to shine for Al Ahly. The match remained tense, with both teams trading moments of control.
Ustari’s decisive performance
Goalkeeper Ustari began stealing the spotlight from the 30th minute. On a powerful free kick by Abou Ali, he punched the ball away, deflecting it for a corner and preventing a goal. Then, at the 32nd minute, Dari headed a close-range shot from a corner, but Ustari pulled off a miraculous save, keeping the score level. Inter Miami’s fans erupted, and the goalkeeper became the game’s hero, exuding confidence in every intervention.
Penalties and high tension
At the 40th minute, the match reached its peak. Zizo was brought down by Redondo inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty to Al Ahly. Trézéguet, with confidence, struck the ball to the left corner, but Ustari dove to make the save. Two minutes later, at the 42nd minute, another penalty was given to Al Ahly after a foul on Zizo. Trézéguet aimed for the same corner, but Ustari shone again, saving the shot and earning wild cheers from his teammates. These moments were critical in keeping Inter Miami in the game.
Timeline of key plays
The first 45 minutes were packed with excitement. Below are the highlights in a timeline:
- 7 minutes: Ustari saves a cross-shot from Ashour in a swift Al Ahly counterattack.
- 19 minutes: Dari fluffs a clear chance, striking poorly in the box; Ustari saves easily.
- 32 minutes: Ustari makes a sensational save on Dari’s header from a corner.
- 40 minutes: Ustari saves a penalty taken by Trézéguet after Redondo’s foul.
- 42 minutes: Ustari shines again, stopping Trézéguet’s second penalty.
Al Ahly’s relentless pressure
Al Ahly dominated attacking play, with Zizo and Trézéguet driving the offense. At the 22nd minute, Trézéguet tried a powerful shot after dribbling, but it sailed high. The Egyptian side relied on wing play and crosses into the box, capitalizing on the height of defenders like Dari. Despite the pressure, Inter Miami’s defense, led by Falcón and Avilés, cleared danger at critical moments, though not without errors, such as Avilés conceding a corner at the 21st minute.
Messi under tight marking
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s star, struggled to make an impact. At the 2nd minute, his first run was halted by a tackle. At the 14th minute, he attempted a surprise free kick, but the ball went over. At the 35th minute, Messi took a harder hit and clutched his knee, raising concerns. He returned to play, but Al Ahly’s defense, with up to three players shadowing him, stifled his efforts. Still, Messi kept attempting combinations and passes to create openings.
Cards and tactical fouls
The match saw its share of rough fouls and bookings. Besides Avilés, Redondo was cautioned at the 30th minute for a heavy challenge near the box. On Al Ahly’s side, Ateya was penalized for a handball at the 11th minute, giving Inter Miami a dangerous free kick. These infractions underscored the game’s intensity, with both teams battling fiercely for every ball.
Ashour’s injury exit
At the 12th minute, Al Ahly’s midfielder Ashour collapsed, crying in pain from a left shoulder injury. After treatment, he was replaced by Zizo, who came on with energy and soon played a key role, earning the penalty at the 40th minute. Ashour’s injury was a blow for Al Ahly, losing a vital midfielder.
Egyptian possession dominance
Al Ahly controlled the ball, especially in the attacking third. At the 28th minute, Inter Miami tried to build play near Al Ahly’s box but was thwarted by tight marking. Al Ahly’s goalkeeper El Shenawy also stood firm, rushing off his line to stop Allen’s run at the 20th minute and clearing a Messi free kick at the 38th minute.
Tactical balance
Despite Al Ahly’s pressure, Inter Miami showed defensive discipline. Right-back Fray tried a long-range shot at the 26th minute, though it posed no threat. Defender Falcón rose well to clear a free kick at the 18th minute. These moments showed Inter Miami could respond in key situations, bolstered by Ustari’s reliability in goal.
Focus on the ongoing match
The game remains wide open, with Al Ahly pushing for a goal and Inter Miami clinging to Ustari’s heroics. The scoreless draw reflects the match’s intensity, with clear chances for both sides. Miami’s fans remain electric, hoping Messi can find space to turn the tide or that Al Ahly will break through Inter Miami’s defensive wall.te parcial reflete a intensidade do confronto, com chances claras para ambos os lados. A torcida em Miami permanece vibrante, esperando que Messi encontre espaço para desequilibrar ou que o Al Ahly consiga furar o bloqueio defensivo adversário.
