The opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup between Inter Miami and Al Ahly delivered drama until the very last second—but nothing could have prepared fans for the insane moment that unfolded in stoppage time between Lionel Messi and Al Ahly’s goalkeeper.
96th minute. Final play. One last corner.
The match was heading for a stalemate, and the referee’s whistle was just seconds away. As Lionel Messi walked over to take what would be the final corner of the game, fans stood on their feet, sensing something special.
What followed was pure genius—and nearly a miracle.
Instead of swinging the ball into the box traditionally, Messi pulled off a deceptive, low-driven shot from the corner flag, curling the ball toward the near post in a way that completely fooled both defenders and spectators. For a split second, it looked like the ball was heading directly into the net for a sensational last-minute winner.
But just as hearts were about to leap in celebration, the Al Ahly goalkeeper made a jaw-dropping, reflex save. Stretching with everything he had, he denied Messi’s audacious attempt and rescued his team from a heartbreaking defeat in the dying seconds.
The crowd erupted—some in disbelief, others in admiration. It was a moment that summed up Messi’s brilliance and unpredictability, and the keeper’s heroics.
Fans and players alike couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed.
This one moment—Messi’s masterful trick and the goalkeeper’s world-class response—became the headline of the match. Even though the game ended without a winner, this extraordinary exchange between two elite players gave fans something unforgettable.
Want to witness the magic for yourself?
Watch the full clip of Messi’s incredible corner and the keeper’s save in the first comment below 👇👇