Palmeiras down Al Ahly to go top of Group A in Club World Cup clash
Brazilian champions Palmeiras claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over African giants Al Ahly on Thursday to move top of Group A at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Group A encounter, held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, was briefly interrupted by inclement weather, but the disruption did little to derail Palmeiras’ smooth path to three crucial points.
Victory lifted the Verdão to four points after two rounds, ahead of Inter Miami, Porto, and Al Ahly—who are all locked on a point each. In a tournament increasingly affected by extreme weather conditions, this was the third game to face suspension due to storm alerts.
Palmeiras settle early in the second half
Despite a closely contested first half, Palmeiras took control early in the second. The breakthrough came in the 49th minute when Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali, attempting to clear a dangerous free-kick from Anibal Moreno, inadvertently headed into his own net to put the Brazilians ahead.
Palmeiras doubled their lead just ten minutes later. A pinpoint pass from Mauricio split the Egyptian defense, allowing striker Flaco Lopez to coolly slot the ball past Al Ahly keeper Mostafa Shobeir and seal the result before the hour mark.
The match was briefly suspended in the 63rd minute as thunderstorm warnings forced players and fans to seek shelter. After a 45-minute delay, play resumed, but with Palmeiras already comfortably ahead, they professionally managed the remainder of the game to preserve the win.
VAR saves Veiga, but Palmeiras stay in control
Earlier in the first half, the game threatened to swing dramatically when English referee Anthony Taylor issued a straight red card to Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga for a challenge on Al Ahly’s talisman Ahmed Zizo. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned—a moment that kept Palmeiras at full strength and proved critical as the match progressed.
Al Ahly, despite their efforts and aggressive pressing, lacked bite in the final third. The Egyptian champions failed to seriously test Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton and struggled to recover from the two quick-fire goals that decided the encounter.
Palmeiras have now gone unbeaten in their opening two fixtures, following an earlier 0-0 draw against Porto. Their superior match fitness, fueled by an active domestic campaign, has given them a slight edge over opponents who are either in pre-season mode or just coming off extended breaks.
The Brazilian side is led by exciting 17-year-old winger Estevão Willian, widely regarded as one of South America’s top young talents. Set to join Chelsea next year, Estevão showed flashes of brilliance on the wing, adding energy and creativity that kept the Al Ahly defense on its heels for much of the game.
Weather wreaks havoc on tournament schedule
Thursday’s weather delay was the third of the tournament so far, with previous interruptions affecting Mamelodi Sundowns’ opener against Ulsan HD and RB Salzburg’s tie with Pachuca. The frequency of weather-related disruptions has added a layer of unpredictability to a tournament already packed with elite competition.
Despite the interruptions, South American teams have shown strong form early in the tournament. Palmeiras, in particular, have emerged as serious contenders to lift the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, blending youth, experience, and tactical discipline under head coach Abel Ferreira.
What’s Next?
Palmeiras will be closely watching the outcome of the Inter Miami vs. Porto fixture later today, which could determine their path to the knockout rounds. Al Ahly, meanwhile, are now in a must-win situation for their final group-stage match if they hope to avoid early elimination.
As the group stage nears its conclusion, Palmeiras’ clinical performance and solid form suggest they may well be the South American side to beat in the U.S.-hosted Club World Cup. With Estevão, Lopez, and Veiga leading the charge, the Verdão are building momentum at just the right time.
SportsLigue