Porto coach Martin Anselmi stressed that no Club World Cup game will be easy for his team.

The Portuguese giants opened up their campaign with a 0-0 draw against three-time Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras on Sunday.

Palmeiras were the dominant side, creating chances worth 2.1 expected goals. That is the highest xG conceded by a side in a Club World Cup game in which they also kept a clean sheet, with Porto's stand-in goalkeeper Claudio Ramos making a string of fine stops as he deputised for the injured Diogo Costa.

The result marked the second 0-0 of the tournament, with both of those coming in Group A following Inter Miami's goalless draw with Al Ahly in the opening match.

Indeed, it was a similar story for Miami, who relied on the excellent work of their goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who made eight saves, his joint-most in a match since joining the club last year, registering a goals-prevented value of 2.99. 

Porto and Miami meet on Thursday, and Anselmi refuted the suggestion that his team had already faced their toughest opponent in the group stage.

"The most important game is the next one. Winning now is not easy," he said.

"There are no easy opponents; no one gives anything away. In one of the games [Bayern Munich 10-0 Auckland City], there was a significant score difference, but in our group, it's different.

"The next two opponents are of a high level. It's good that we started with Palmeiras — this match set a good rhythm that we need to maintain. In that sense, starting with such an opponent was beneficial."

Palmeiras had 39 touches in Porto's box, which is the most the Portuguese side have allowed an opponent to have in a single game since October last year, when Manchester United managed 42 in a Europa League fixture.

"Our main objective was to compete, and we truly did compete," added Anselmi, whose team have kept back-to-back clean sheets in all competitions for the first time since December.

"We have just completed our [pre-tournament] preparation, and this was our first match at such intensity and pace. We played well in the first half and for about ten minutes into the second. 

"We defended well, understanding how to close down spaces. We found some good passes, but we lacked precision. We had good moments, very clear chances.

"Claudio showed his level. He’s been with the club for five years and has played in important matches. We were calm about him.

"Over time, we lost our rhythm and control of the ball, but not of the game. One must learn to fight until the end. I am satisfied with how the players battled."

Miami may have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, but Javier Mascherano's team are in poor form.

They have won only three of their last 11 matches in all competitions (D3 L5), with all three of those wins coming at home. Miami have not won a match away from Chase Stadium since a 1-0 victory at Columbus Crew on 19 April, and they have lost five of their last seven matches at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which will host Thursday's clash.