EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-JUNE 14-JULY 13, 2025)-Top-ranked Portuguese club "FC Porto" & "Al Ahly" (Egypt) collided in a showdown match that ended in a 4-4, shoot-out draw in final game of group A, at MetlLife Stadium.

With the 4-4, tie, and 2-2, draw between Inter Miami and SE Palmeiras, Porto & Al Ahly were eliminated registering 2-points each in the standing while Palmeiras(Brazil) advances to round of 16, with a first place finish & 5-points and Inter-Miami as runner-up with 5-points as well in Group A.

It was a battle from start to finish and that should be considered the best game or one of the best games in the Group stage competition at FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Al Ahly opened the score first through striker Wessam Abou Ali who scored a hot-trick in the game to put the Egyptians in front 1-0, at 15' mark. Midfielder Hamdy Fathy in a counter-attack through the left side field, passed the ball to Abou Ali inside the 18' and who shot a rolling left-footed to the opposite goalpost that ended in back of the net. 

Porto answered back with the equalizer at 23' mark when midfielder Alan Varela 
gave a short pass to Rodrigo Mora who on a personal play evaded two defenders and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy inside the 18', and scored with a left-footed to tied the game 1-1.

The Egyptians kept the pressure with consecutive counter-attacks but goalkeeper    Claudio Ramos played protagonist by stopping all the shots to goals.

With the game-clock winding down, Fabio Vieira brought down Ahmed Sayed 
for penalty call by the referee. Striker Wessam About Ali executed the penalty shot and scored for his second goal of the game and put Al Ahly in front 2-1, at the half.

Five minute into the second half, Porto found the equalizer through William Gomes 
at 50' mark. Midfielder Favio Vieira on a counter-attack through the right-side field crossed the ball to the opposite left-field corner to striker William Gomes who immediately kicked a curvy shot from 20-yards away to the right-goal post ending in back of the net for 2-2, tie game. 

One minute later after the tying goal, the Egyptians answered back About Ali scoring his third goal of the game to make it 3-2, at 51' mark.
The play was originated with a counter-attack through the right-side field, forward 
Nejc Gradisar centered a ball inside the penalty box finding About Ali who scored with a header to the left-side goalpost for a "Hat-Trick".

The game turned into a final game with high energy and intensity with the crowd chanting loud for their respective teams. 

The Portugueses answered back with the equalizer a minute later, when Samu Aghehowa intercepted a corner kick inside the 18' and scored with a header to tie the game 3-3, at 53' mark.

This game turned into a wild-shootout, Al Ahly went ahead in the score once again at 64' mark during a offensive attack through the left-side field, defender Achraf Dari passed the ball to Mohamed Ali Ben who from inside the 18' shot a curvy right -footed to the far-right goalpost to make it 4-3, sending the Egyptian fans wild in celebration.

With one minute remaining in the game, and what it appear a sure victory for 
Al Ahly, forward Pepe with the assist of Gabri Veiga kicked a right-footed from 25-yards away ending in back of the net and tie the game once again for the final score of 4-4, between Porto and Al Ahly.

With the draw of 4-4, Both teams were eliminated and concluded their participation in the tournament with Porto finishing 3rd with 2-points and Al Ahly fourth with 2-points as well in Group A.


Photo & Article By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated