Inter Miami's Club World Cup Debut: Mascherano Confident They Can Beat Anyone After Draw

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Inter Miami's performance in their Club World Cup opener has left Javier Mascherano confident in their ability to compete with any team. The match against Al Ahly ended in a 0-0 draw, showcasing Miami's resilience. Oscar Ustari was pivotal, saving a penalty from Trezeguet, while Lionel Messi nearly scored in stoppage time but was thwarted by Mohamed El Shenawy's impressive save.

Mascherano expressed satisfaction with his team's display, especially in the second half where they created more opportunities and controlled the game better. "I'm happy with the performance. We were better in the second half, created chances and controlled the game," he stated. Despite not securing a win, Mascherano believes this level of play can lead to victories against any opponent.

Al Ahly had several chances to score, taking 11 shots with eight on target and generating 2.0 expected goals (xG). They also had five significant opportunities compared to Miami's three. Wessam Abou Ali expressed his disappointment, saying, "We could have taken all three points." He acknowledged Inter Miami's strength but felt Al Ahly could have secured victory early on.

The Egyptian champions will face Palmeiras next in Group A, while Inter Miami prepares to meet Porto later that day. Al Ahly will be without midfielder Emam Ashour due to a broken collarbone sustained early in the match.

Lionel Messi came close to breaking the deadlock for Miami, hitting the woodwork before being denied by El Shenawy's fingertip save. This match marked only the third goalless draw for Messi's club teams in his last 108 starts since February 2022.

The atmosphere was electric, with an estimated 80% of fans supporting Al Ahly. Despite this support, they couldn't capitalise on their chances. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both teams as they aim to advance further in the tournament.

Mascherano remains optimistic about his team's prospects following their solid performance against a formidable opponent like Al Ahly. The Herons' ability to create chances and maintain composure under pressure bodes well for their future matches.