Porto and Al Ahly exit after an exciting match featuring eight goals apiece in a thrilling encounter
Livin' on the Edge: A 4-4 Thriller in Group A's Club World Cup Showdown
Last Tuesday night, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosted a rollercoaster ride as Al Ahly and FC Porto locked horns in a Group A match of the 2025 Club World Cup. The final whistle left both teams stranded, their spirits deflated after a nail-biting 4-4 draw.
The Egyptian powerhouse, Al Ahly, stole the limelight courtesy of Wessam Abou Ali's extraordinary hat-trick[2][3][5]. Abou Ali's performance was a spectacle to behold, especially his penalty kick before halftime that put Al Ahly ahead 2-1, and a towering header just minutes after resumption that made it 3-3.
However, Porto wasn't about to let go easily. In response to Abou Ali's hat-trick, 18-year-old prodigy Rodrigo Mora stormed through the Al Ahly defense and took charge with a precision shot, pulling Porto level[3]. William Gomes stunned the crowd with a mesmerizing strike minutes later, momentarily stealing the lead for Porto. But Al Ahly wasn't ready to succumb yet. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane's brilliant curler minutes later restored Al Ahly's lead, only for Porto's Pepê to swoop in with a right-footed efforts from outside the box to tie things up once more[3].
The contest was a display of unrelenting determination as the game swung back and forth, with Porto slightly edging the possession stats (56.5%), but Al Ahly creating more chances and even scoring more shots (22-14)[3]. Despite the enthralling spectacle, the draw meant elimination for both teams, thanks to Inter Miami's simultaneous 2-2 draw with Palmeiras[3][4].
The stadium echoed with the cheers of the 39,893 spectators, predominantly garbed in red for Al Ahly[3][4]. Although disillusioned with their elimination from the tournament, Porto could take solace in the spine-tingling contest they had just witnessed, a true testament to the spirit of football[2].
© 2025 AFP
Despite the thrilling tone set by the 2025 Club World Cup, Al Ahly and FC Porto's Group A encounter didn't qualify any team for the Champions League, as they both were eliminated, having ties with other competing teams in the European leagues. The Egyptian powerhouse, Al Ahly, showcased their strength not just in this tournament but also in the international sports arena, with Wessam Abou Ali's exceptional football skills on display during their match against FC Porto.
