Mohamed El-Shenawy and Yassine Bounou produced heroic moments to headline the first round of the Club World Cup in the United States.
El-Shenawy, Al Ahly’s trusted shot-stopper, denied Lionel Messi a match-winning goal in the final minutes of a tense opener against Inter Miami. The goalless draw might have had a different ending if not for his sharp reflexes against the Argentine star. That single save turned into a global talking point, placing El-Shenawy firmly under the spotlight.
Yassine Bounou, representing Al-Hilal and the Moroccan national team, also pulled off a clutch performance. With Real Madrid awarded a late penalty, Bounou dived to his right to stop Federico Valverde’s powerful strike, securing a critical result and massive praise for his composure under pressure.
Both goalkeepers now rank among the top performers in the tournament. SofaScore’s stats show Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari leading with eight saves, followed by Bounou’s six against Real Madrid. El-Shenawy, with five against Inter Miami, sits fifth, proof that when it mattered most, these African keepers delivered.
