Latest news with #Ustari
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Lionel Messi scores on free kick to lift Inter Miami over Porto
ATLANTA: Lionel Messi connected on a free kick in the 54th minute to propel Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over FC Porto in a Group A match of the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday afternoon. After Porto struck first on Samu Aghehowa's penalty kick in the eighth minute, Marcelo Weigandt assisted on Telasco Segovia's game-tying goal in the 47th. Miami found its second goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half against Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos as Messi scored on the 68th free-kick goal of his illustrious career. Each team netted their first goals of the tournament after Miami tied Al Ahly 0-0 on Saturday and Porto suffered the same result against Palmeiras on Sunday. After VAR review confirmation, it was determined that Miami's Noah Allen committed a tripping penalty in the box against Joao Mario, leading to Aghehowa's penalty goal that was deflected by goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and in for the game's first goal in the eighth minute. Aghehowa, 21, had 19 goals in 30 Primeira Liga matches for the Portuguese side this past season. Miami knotted the score at one less than 90 seconds into the second half, as Weigandt's cross into the center of the box was finished by Segovia, who fired in the equalizing goal past a sprawling Ramos. Miami then continued its great start to the second half, as Porto's Rodrigo Mora's foul led to Messi's successful free kick — perfectly placed in the top right corner in the 54th minute.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Inter Miami goalkeeper Ustari credits Messi for making things easy
Soccer Football - Club World Cup - Group A - Al Ahly v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 14, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Oscar Ustari looks on IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Sam Navarro/File Photo REUTERS Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari credited Lionel Messi's presence for helping him settle in at the club after joining the team last September, having played alongside the Argentine great since youth level. Ustari, who put in a stellar performance as the Major League Soccer side kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly on Saturday, joined Inter Miami two months after his contract with Chilean team Audax Italiano expired. He said the decision to reunite with Messi was influenced by the club's ambitions and his long-standing friendship with his Argentine compatriot. "I wasn't retired. I joined ... because I was attracted by the club's aspirations," the 38-year-old Ustari told Reuters in an interview. "And obviously by sharing a squad with Leo again. And of course, Leo's presence on the team made everything easier." Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, earned a spot in the expanded Club World Cup after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield. Ustari said he was delighted to be playing in the tournament after a career, which included stints in Spain, England, Mexico and Uruguay. "Having the opportunity to play in a Club World Cup made us all very happy, especially in my case, given that I'm someone who has had an extensive career," he said. "It's a reward for how well Inter Miami is doing things." While the world eagerly anticipated seeing Messi and Luis Suarez in the opening match of the tournament, it was Ustari who stole the spotlight and was named 'Superior Player of the Match', after saving a penalty and blocking eight shots. He said, however, that the credit belonged to his teammates. "We were all part of that award for best player. Maybe saving a penalty gave me the opportunity to receive it, but there were some very high points from my teammates who could have also been awarded it," he said. Ustari and Messi have shared a close friendship since playing together for Argentina's youth teams over two decades ago, a bond that extended into their senior team careers. They were in the same Argentina squad that won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and clinched gold together at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Reflecting on their time together, Ustari said: "My memories with Leo are from youth training camps, the senior team, the titles we won, training sessions, etc." He added that Messi's personality has remained unchanged, describing him as "affectionate, respectful, and always competitive." "Because of who he is, he's achieved everything, and that's why he's the best player in the history of this sport." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Inter Miami goalkeeper Ustari credits Messi for making things easy
Soccer Football - Club World Cup - Group A - Al Ahly v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 14, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Oscar Ustari looks on IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Sam Navarro/File Photo (Reuters) -Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari credited Lionel Messi's presence for helping him settle in at the club after joining the team last September, having played alongside the Argentine great since youth level. Ustari, who put in a stellar performance as the Major League Soccer side kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly on Saturday, joined Inter Miami two months after his contract with Chilean team Audax Italiano expired. He said the decision to reunite with Messi was influenced by the club's ambitions and his long-standing friendship with his Argentine compatriot. "I wasn't retired. I joined ... because I was attracted by the club's aspirations," the 38-year-old Ustari told Reuters in an interview. "And obviously by sharing a squad with Leo again. And of course, Leo's presence on the team made everything easier." Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, earned a spot in the expanded Club World Cup after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield. Ustari said he was delighted to be playing in the tournament after a career, which included stints in Spain, England, Mexico and Uruguay. "Having the opportunity to play in a Club World Cup made us all very happy, especially in my case, given that I'm someone who has had an extensive career," he said. "It's a reward for how well Inter Miami is doing things." While the world eagerly anticipated seeing Messi and Luis Suarez in the opening match of the tournament, it was Ustari who stole the spotlight and was named 'Superior Player of the Match', after saving a penalty and blocking eight shots. He said, however, that the credit belonged to his teammates. "We were all part of that award for best player. Maybe saving a penalty gave me the opportunity to receive it, but there were some very high points from my teammates who could have also been awarded it," he said. Ustari and Messi have shared a close friendship since playing together for Argentina's youth teams over two decades ago, a bond that extended into their senior team careers. They were in the same Argentina squad that won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and clinched gold together at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Reflecting on their time together, Ustari said: "My memories with Leo are from youth training camps, the senior team, the titles we won, training sessions, etc." He added that Messi's personality has remained unchanged, describing him as "affectionate, respectful, and always competitive." "Because of who he is, he's achieved everything, and that's why he's the best player in the history of this sport." (Reporting by Mohamed Yossry in CairoEditing by Toby Davis)
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Inter Miami goalkeeper Ustari credits Messi for making things easy
June 19 - Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari credited Lionel Messi's presence for helping him settle in at the club after joining the team last September, having played alongside the Argentine great since youth level. Ustari, who put in a stellar performance as the Major League Soccer side kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly on Saturday, joined Inter Miami two months after his contract with Chilean team Audax Italiano expired. He said the decision to reunite with Messi was influenced by the club's ambitions and his long-standing friendship with his Argentine compatriot. "I wasn't retired. I joined ... because I was attracted by the club's aspirations," the 38-year-old Ustari told Reuters in an interview. "And obviously by sharing a squad with Leo again. And of course, Leo's presence on the team made everything easier." Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, earned a spot in the expanded Club World Cup after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield. Ustari said he was delighted to be playing in the tournament after a career, which included stints in Spain, England, Mexico and Uruguay. "Having the opportunity to play in a Club World Cup made us all very happy, especially in my case, given that I'm someone who has had an extensive career," he said. "It's a reward for how well Inter Miami is doing things." While the world eagerly anticipated seeing Messi and Luis Suarez in the opening match of the tournament, it was Ustari who stole the spotlight and was named 'Superior Player of the Match', after saving a penalty and blocking eight shots. He said, however, that the credit belonged to his teammates. "We were all part of that award for best player. Maybe saving a penalty gave me the opportunity to receive it, but there were some very high points from my teammates who could have also been awarded it," he said. Ustari and Messi have shared a close friendship since playing together for Argentina's youth teams over two decades ago, a bond that extended into their senior team careers. They were in the same Argentina squad that won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and clinched gold together at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Reflecting on their time together, Ustari said: "My memories with Leo are from youth training camps, the senior team, the titles we won, training sessions, etc." He added that Messi's personality has remained unchanged, describing him as "affectionate, respectful, and always competitive." "Because of who he is, he's achieved everything, and that's why he's the best player in the history of this sport."
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Keepers steal the show as Inter Miami and Al Ahly draw thrilling CWC opener
Agencies The storied Egyptian side and Major League Soccer powerhouse kicked off the the FIFA Club World Cup with an action-packed 0-0 draw at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday. While all eyes pre-match were on Lionel Messi, it was the goalkeepers who starred for both clubs. In the first half, Inter Miami survived waves of Al Ahly pressure thanks to keeper Oscar Ustari, who made five saves to keep the Herons level at half-time. Ustari's biggest save came in the 43rd minute. Zizo won a penalty after being taken down in the box by Telasco Segovia, but Ustari guessed correctly on Trezeguet's spot-kick, diving to his right to make the two-handed block. Al Ahly needed the steady hands of goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to escape an equally lively second half. In the 51st minute, Tadeo Allende pounced on a loose ball in the box but saw his left-footed shot smothered by El Shenawy. The Al Ahly keeper came up big late, turning away Fafa Picault's close-range header in the 85th minute and making two more saves in stoppage time, including a leaping stop on Lionel Messi's long-range curler that was headed for the top corner. Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami head coach said, 'We were much better than them, we moved a lot in transition and controlled the game and we had chances to score and win the game. ' Football is like that, maybe in the first half they had some chances too. Obviously we wanted to win because we know how important it is to start with a win, but I'm happy with the platform.' Jose Riveiro, Al Ahly head coach said, 'It's a football game, a game of mistakes. We had a decent amount of chances in the first half to put the game in a different space and we put them in a hurry. 'In the second half we were defending a little lower than what we wanted and then we had some problems in transition with controlling our first pass. It's like we were playing in Cairo and that was a surprise for me in my first official match with Al Ahly. 'To be here in the States and have it like you were playing at home is something that can probably only happen in this.'
