Porto, Al Ahly explode for eight goals in Club World Cup draw
Porto vs Al Ahly
In a thrilling and chaotic encounter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, FC Porto and Al Ahly played out a breathtaking 4-4 draw in their final Group A match of the FIFA Club World Cup on Monday, with Pepê’s 89th-minute equalizer ensuring both teams shared the spoils in a contest that will be remembered for its relentless attacking play and dramatic swings. Wessam Abou Ali was the standout performer for the Egyptian giants, scoring a sensational hat trick, while Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane added a fourth goal to keep Al Ahly in contention throughout the match. However, FC Porto’s resilience shone through, as they responded to each of Al Ahly’s goals with equalizers from Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes, Samu Aghehowa, and finally Pepê, whose late strike from outside the penalty area salvaged a point for the Portuguese side. Despite the entertainment value of the match, the result marked a disappointing end to the tournament for both teams, as neither advanced to the knockout rounds, with Palmeiras and Inter Miami securing the top two spots in Group A. The game was a fittingly chaotic conclusion to a group stage campaign that saw both Porto and Al Ahly struggle to find consistency, leaving them to return home with only pride to show for their efforts.
The match began with an electric atmosphere, as fans from both sides filled the stadium, creating a vibrant backdrop for what would become one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. Al Ahly, the pride of Egyptian and African football, struck first in the 12th minute through Abou Ali, who showcased his predatory instincts with a stunning goal. Receiving a pass on the left side of the six-yard box, the forward took a sharp angle and rolled a precise shot off the post and into the net, leaving Porto goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos with no chance. The early goal set the tone for Al Ahly’s attacking intent, as they sought to build on their reputation as one of Africa’s most formidable clubs. Porto, however, were quick to respond, with Rodrigo Mora leveling the score in the 20th minute after a well-worked move down the right flank. Mora’s composed finish past Mohamed El Shenawy demonstrated Porto’s ability to match Al Ahly’s intensity, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle that would define the match. The first half continued at a frenetic pace, with both teams trading chances, but it was Abou Ali who struck again just before the break. After Porto were penalized for a foul in the penalty area, Abou Ali stepped up to take the spot kick, calmly slotting it into the bottom left corner to restore Al Ahly’s lead at 2-1. The goal sent Al Ahly’s fans into raptures and gave their team a psychological edge heading into the second half.
The second half began with Porto determined to claw their way back into the contest, and their persistence paid off in the 54th minute when William Gomes found the equalizer. The young winger latched onto a through ball and finished with aplomb, beating El Shenawy at his near post to make it 2-2. The joy was short-lived for Porto, however, as Abou Ali completed his hat trick just a minute later. Mohamed Hany delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Abou Ali rose above his marker to head the ball powerfully into the net, restoring Al Ahly’s lead at 3-2. The goal was a testament to Abou Ali’s clinical finishing and Al Ahly’s ability to capitalize on defensive lapses, as Porto’s backline struggled to cope with the Egyptian side’s relentless attacking waves. Cláudio Ramos, who faced a barrage of 12 shots on target throughout the match, made six saves to keep Porto in the game, but the sheer volume of Al Ahly’s chances threatened to overwhelm the Portuguese side. Despite the setback, Porto’s character shone through, and they responded once again in the 58th minute through Samu Aghehowa. The striker soared above the Al Ahly defense to meet a perfectly delivered corner kick from Fábio Vieira, powering a header into the net to make it 3-3. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Porto’s traveling supporters, who sensed that their team was capable of turning the match in their favor.
The end-to-end nature of the contest showed no signs of slowing down, and Al Ahly regained the lead in the 64th minute through Ben Romdhane. The midfielder, who had been a constant threat, received a clever assist from Achraf Bencharki at the top of the 18-yard box and unleashed a ferocious right-footed strike that flew past Ramos into the top corner. The goal was a moment of individual brilliance, highlighting Al Ahly’s depth and ability to produce quality in key moments. At 4-3, Al Ahly appeared to have the upper hand, and with time ticking away, Porto’s hopes of salvaging a result seemed to be fading. The Egyptian side’s fans, sensing a famous victory, created a deafening atmosphere, urging their team to hold firm. However, Porto’s never-say-die attitude, a hallmark of their European campaigns, came to the fore in the final moments. In the 89th minute, Gabri Veiga picked out Pepê with a precise pass just outside the penalty area. The winger, under pressure from Al Ahly’s defenders, struck a sublime right-footed shot that curled past El Shenawy and nestled into the net, sparking scenes of jubilation among Porto’s players and fans. The equalizer capped a remarkable comeback and ensured that the match ended in a fittingly dramatic 4-4 draw, a result that reflected the attacking ambition and defensive frailties of both teams.
Despite the excitement of the match, the result was bittersweet for both Porto and Al Ahly, as it confirmed their elimination from the Club World Cup. In the other Group A fixture, Palmeiras rallied to secure a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami, leaving both teams with five points and the top two spots in the group. Porto and Al Ahly, with identical records of 0-1-2 and two points each, were left to rue their inability to secure a victory in any of their three matches. Al Ahly, in particular, finished bottom of the group due to an inferior goal differential, a harsh outcome given their attacking output against Porto. The Egyptian side’s performance, led by Abou Ali’s hat trick, was a source of pride, but their failure to convert draws into wins ultimately cost them a place in the knockout rounds. For Porto, the draw was a microcosm of their tournament campaign: moments of brilliance interspersed with defensive lapses that prevented them from capitalizing on their potential. Cláudio Ramos’s six saves and the contributions of Mora, Gomes, Aghehowa, and Pepê highlighted Porto’s quality, but their inability to hold leads or secure a win left them with little to show for their efforts.
As both teams prepare to return home, the match will linger in the memory of those who witnessed it as a showcase of the Club World Cup’s global appeal and competitive spirit. For Al Ahly, the tournament was an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition, and their performance against Porto underscored their status as a powerhouse in African football. Abou Ali’s hat trick, in particular, will be a highlight of their campaign, a reminder of the individual talent within their ranks. For Porto, the draw was a chance to display their resilience and attacking flair, but it also exposed areas for improvement as they shift their focus to domestic and European competitions. The 4-4 result, while entertaining, was ultimately a footnote in a tournament that saw neither team advance, leaving Palmeiras and Inter Miami to carry the Group A flag into the knockout rounds. As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, both Porto and Al Ahly will reflect on a match that encapsulated the highs and lows of the Club World Cup, a competition where fine margins and moments of magic can define a team’s fate.
