Chapter 918: Al-Hilal vs. Inter Miami

June 19, Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Today, a spotlight match will kick off here: the Club World Cup group stage fixture between Inter Miami and Al-Hilal.

Neither team counts as a title favorite, yet with Tang Ye and Messi involved, the hype for this match has surged straight to number one.

Match Preview: Club World Cup Group Stage, Round 1, Inter Miami vs. Al-Hilal—Tang Ye versus Messi in a head-to-head showdown.

"Messi!"

"Messi!"

Outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, local fans waved support flags, shouting loudly for their idol.

As part of Messi's camp, American and Argentine fans harbored deep resentment toward Al-Hilal. This stemmed from the Qatar World Cup three years ago, when Tang Ye's Chinese national team pulled off an upset victory over Argentina, subsequently damaging the morale of Argentina's players (considered an indirect cause of Argentina's final loss to France).

For Messi and Argentine fans, facing Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup undoubtedly presented an excellent chance for revenge.

But!

Considering the gap in strength between the two teams, Inter Miami fans needed to stack several layers of buffs for Messi before kickoff.

"TY's teammates are stronger, so even if we lose, we won't blame Messi. But if we win, it proves TY isn't up to scratch."

Miami fans said as much: "Our overall strength might not match Al-Hilal's, but we still have a chance. With Messi and Suárez on our side, they can effectively contain TY."

"You know, TY is the kind of player who becomes useless once he's tightly marked."

……

【iQIYI Sports】

"Good evening, dear viewers! We are now broadcasting live the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group H, Round 1 match between Inter Miami and Al-Hilal!"

"Indeed, we can see both teams' players already preparing in the tunnel. Oh, Tang Ye and Messi are exchanging some words; the two were old rivals from their La Liga days!"

Just as the screen showed, Tang Ye and Messi were conversing at the tunnel entrance; both players served as captains of their respective teams.

"Good luck."

Tang Ye pressed his hand against Messi's back; the latter looked slightly dazed but still offered Tang Ye a smile: "Mm, good luck."

【Here we go, brothers!】

【Damn, nine yuan per match, iQIYI, you're truly insane, is it this expensive??? And why are the monthly and yearly subscriptions so pricey too... If it weren't for supporting Tang Tang Qiuwang, I'd choose to watch a pirated stream.】

【The person who pushed for the Club World Cup reform is a genius; they've directly brought three people together. Tang Ye facing Messi in the group stage—brothers, I'm getting Qatar World Cup vibes right now.】

【Never thought Tang Tang Qiuwang would one day join the Rat-Catching Squad.】

【Why didn't the organizers manipulate the draw? Putting Miami and Al-Hilal in the same group was clearly meant to make Messi lose face. Won't the Americans protect Boss Mei?】

【Protect my foot; Al-Hilal and Miami are evenly matched. Al-Hilal is just the boss of Asia; their win rate is built on money, their actual strength is just so-so. If Miami coordinates better, I think they still have a chance.】

"Messi!"

"Messi!"

American matches are just like this; Messi has directly become the protagonist of the stadium.

"Beep——!!!"

The match has begun!

Inter Miami (4-2-2)

Goalkeeper: Ustari

Defenders: Weigandt, Ian Fray, Falcón, Noah Allen

Midfielders: Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia

Forwards: Messi, Suárez

Head Coach: Mascherano

"And now the away team, Al-Hilal, champions of the AFC Champions League for the past three seasons!"

Al-Hilal (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Bounou

Defenders: Cancelo, Lodi, Koulibaly, Theo Hernández

Midfielders: Milinković, Tang Ye (c), Malcolm

Forwards: César, Mitrović, Michael

Head Coach: Inzaghi

Minutes after Mitrović kicked off, the director cut directly to a shot of the Al-Hilal bench.

Most likely trying to find Pogba, but failed to locate him.

Perhaps this French midfielder still needs some time before officially returning to professional matches!

"Allende, pass to Messi."

"Messi has trapped the ball under his foot first; he must be waiting for his teammates' runs!"

Messi walked slowly with the ball near the center.

Although the pace was slow, the rhythm was strong!

Slap!

A through-ball goes out, finding Cremaschi making a forward run to combine!

Cremaschi passes again to Busquets!

"Wow!!!"

"Go, go!"

"Messi!"

The teammates combined quickly; by now, Suárez had moved to the wing, ready to receive support.

Receiving the pass sent by Busquets!

"Beautiful!"

Busquets began drifting toward the goal, but Cancelo and Malcolm clearly would not let him pass the ball so easily.

Cancelo!

The Al-Hilal fullback stepped out, preparing to intercept Suárez's cross, but he was fooled by Suárez's feint.

!!!

Slap!

Suárez cut inside, successfully leaving Cancelo behind.

"Cancelo! Cancelo made a mistake!"

"This is a chance for Miami!"

"A cross from Suárez!"

"Weigandt!"

Boom!

The Miami defender headed the ball straight into the air.

"Phew!"

"Although neither team is a favorite for the championship, both sides are in truly excellent form today!"

"Yes, but we need to pay attention to Cancelo."

"Cancelo seems a bit overconfident today!"

In the camera shot, Tang Ye shouted a few times at Cancelo.

Seemingly accustomed to his dominant status in the Saudi Pro League, Cancelo was acting somewhat too arrogant at the Club World Cup.

"Calm down!"

Tang Ye made a gesture with both hands pressing downward.

The other two teams in Group H, Real Madrid and Benfica, were no pushovers, so for Al-Hilal, winning this match against Inter Miami was mandatory.

Otherwise, Al-Hilal would likely face a very humiliating situation: three consecutive losses in the Club World Cup group stage.

"Come on! Be more aggressive, let's launch our attack!"

Inzaghi was also encouraging the players on the field.

Live update: Mitrović received a through ball from Tang Ye and volleyed, but the shot was saved by the Miami goalkeeper.

"..."

The 24th minute.

"Theo Hernández makes a run from the left, Koulibaly plays a long pass!"

The fullback pushing forward is an attacking style that Al-Hilal favors greatly.

Hernández possesses incredible speed!

He delivers a low, inverted triangle pass from the byline!

Mitrović prepared to receive the ball, but a voice came from behind him.

"Move!"

Mitrović quickly turned sideways to avoid it, and the ball rolled naturally between his legs.

Tang Ye glanced out of the corner of his eye and cut the ball to the right flank.

"Wow!"

Boom!

"Gooo——aaaa——llll!!!"

"Goal!"

"Michael's goal!"

"1:0!"

"Al-Hilal takes the lead!"

Al-Hilal's attacking combination play was excellent; when Michael received the ball, several Inter Miami defenders hadn't even had time to adjust their positions.

Their reaction was too slow!

"Wow!!!"

Michael and Malcolm ran to the corner flag and roared at the camera.

This was Michael's first time participating in the Club World Cup, and naturally, it was also the first goal of his professional career at the tournament!

"..."

As the clock hit the 30th minute, the commentators had already formed a rough judgment of the match.

Although Inter Miami started the game strongly, the gap between the two teams remained obvious overall.