Al Ahly narrowly missed out on booking their place in the round of 16 at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after an epic 4-4 draw in their final Group A game with FC Porto at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Afrosport reports.
The Egyptian giants needed to defeat Porto to stand a chance of qualification having gathered one point in their opening two games while hoping things go their way in the other simultaneous game between Inter Miami and Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium.
Al Ahly were able to establish a 2-1 lead in the first half in East Rutherford, New Jersey thanks to a brace from Wessam Abou Ali. Meanwhile, Inter Miami were leading Palmeiras 1-0 at the break courtesy of Tadeo Allende’s 16th minute strike.
The second half at the MetLife Stadium saw both Al Ahly and Porto take turns with the goals, William Gomes levelling matters 2-2 in the 50th minute before Abou Ali made it 3-2 to the Red Devils by completing his hat-trick a minute later.
That lead barely lasted as substitute Samu Aghehowa, levelled for the third time for Porto in the 53rd minute until Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane put Al Ahly 4-3 up 11 minute later.
At this point, Inter Miami were leading Palmeiras 2-0, Uruguay legend Luis Suarez netting the second in the 65th minute, and Al Ahly were level on four points with Palmeiras and needed two more goals to displace the Brazilians from second place on goal difference.
None of that materialised in the remaining 26 minutes in New Jersey as Porto equalised for the fourth time via Brazilian foward Pepe in the 89th minute.
Al Ahly’s hopes were finally crushed as Palmeiras staged a comeback in the closing 10 minutes in Miami Gardens with Paulinho and Mauricio finding the back of the net to tie the game 2-2.
An eight-goal thriller at MetLife stadium. 🤯#FIFACWC
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 24, 2025
Palmeiras ultimately topped the group with five points, same as Inter Miami but with a superior goal difference while Al Ahly finished third on two points, the same as Porto but with an equally superior goal difference to the Portuguese giants.
