Palmeiras triumph over Al Ahly 2-0, thanks to Lopez's strike, pursuing a spot in the Round of 16.
Palmeiras secure a dominating 2-0 victory over Egypt's Al Ahly in the Group A match of the 2025 World Club Championship, held at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The match was under the watchful eye of English referee Anthony Taylor, who faced his fair share of controversies, even facing a temporary halt due to an electrical storm.
With this win, Palmeiras is edging closer to securing a spot in the Round of 16, but they still rely on other results and the outcome of the upcoming Inter Miami vs Porto clash.
Before the game, both Palmeiras and Al Ahly had drawn against Porto and Inter Miami respectively. The early minutes saw a constant back-and-forth between the teams, with a shot from Al-Ahly's Wessam Abou Ali going wide, a warning sign for Palmeiras.
Estevão had the best chance for Palmeiras in the first half, with a shot close to the left post of goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. The first half was poorly played, with the most notable event being a hard tackle by Raphael Cavalcante Veiga, initially punished with a red card, but later downgraded to a yellow card following a VAR review.
The second half began with luck favoring Palmeiras as an own goal by Abou Ali gave them the lead. Just a few minutes later, Palmeiras scored their second goal, with José López finishing off a counterattack.
The match was then suspended due to the risk of an electrical storm, making it the third match stopped in this Club World Cup due to weather conditions. After a 45-minute delay, the game resumed, with Palmeiras showing no signs of complacency.
Agustín Giay, who had played as a right stopper in the debut against Porto, returned to his usual position of right-back, as Abel Ferreira reverted to his 4-2-3-1 scheme. Estêvão was substituted 15 minutes from the end. Despite a few sparks, expectations are high for the 18-year-old, who will continue his career at Chelsea.
Richarlison, Palmeiras' Colombian midfielder, earned a yellow card for vehemently rejecting a ball to a stand filled with Egyptian fans, marking the last image of the match.
As of the latest updates on the 2025 FIFA World Club Championship Group A standings, Al Ahly and FC Porto are leading, while Palmeiras is in third place. To advance, Palmeiras must outperform at least one of the top two teams in the remaining matches. Inter Miami is currently last, facing an uphill battle. The exact permutations would depend on the points gained, goal difference, and tiebreakers as per FIFA regulations.
Stay tuned for more updates on the thrilling 2025 World Club Championship!
The suspension of the match due to an electrical storm did not dampen Palmeiras' spirits, as they continued their dominance upon resumption, leading to a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly. With the close scoreline, the upcoming Inter Miami vs Porto clash could potentially decide Palmeiras' fate in the Round of 16 for the sports arena of football, as they chase the latest news on the 2025 FIFA World Club Championship Group A standings.
