Porto vs. Al-Ahly: 4-4 Thriller Ends FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Hopes for Both.FC Porto vs Al-Ahly Highlights, FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Eight-Goal Thriller Ends in 4-4 Draw, Both Teams Exit.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A match between FC Porto and Al-Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 24, 2025, delivered an unforgettable eight-goal spectacle, ending in a 4-4 draw.
Despite a hat-trick from Al-Ahly’s Wessam Abou Ali and late heroics from Porto’s Pepê, both teams were eliminated from the tournament due to Palmeiras and Inter Miami’s concurrent 2-2 draw, which secured the top two spots in Group A. Below is a comprehensive recount of the match, capturing key moments, standout performances, and the dramatic twists that defined this thrilling encounter.
Match Overview
The MetLife Stadium, hosting 39,893 fans, was a cauldron of energy as FC Porto and Al-Ahly, both desperate for a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, clashed in a do-or-die Group A finale. Porto, led by coach Martín Anselmi, and Al-Ahly, under José Riveiro, entered with identical records: one point from a draw and a loss each.
The match was a rollercoaster, with Wessam Abou Ali’s hat-trick, including a penalty, giving Al-Ahly the edge, while Porto responded with goals from Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes, Samu Aghehowa, and Pepê. However, the simultaneous 2-2 draw between Palmeiras and Inter Miami at Hard Rock Stadium sealed the fate of both Porto and Al-Ahly, who exited the tournament on goal difference.
Key Talking Points
The match’s primary focus was whether Porto or Al-Ahly could secure a victory and hope for a favorable result in the Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras game. Porto needed a win and an Inter Miami victory to have a chance, relying on tiebreakers, while Al-Ahly faced similar odds.
The game’s frenetic pace, with eight goals and relentless attacking from both sides, was a testament to their desperation. Al-Ahly’s high-pressing style and Porto’s set-piece prowess created a chaotic, open encounter, but the concurrent draw in Miami rendered their efforts futile. A controversial penalty decision and late missed chances, including a Mohamed Seha save on Mora’s shot, added to the drama. The match highlighted both teams’ attacking potential and defensive frailties, making it a fitting, bittersweet end to their campaigns.
Match Timeline
Pre-Match Context
Group A Standings: Palmeiras led with four points (0-0 vs. Porto, 2-0 vs. Al-Ahly), followed by Inter Miami (three points: 0-0 vs. Al-Ahly, 2-1 vs. Porto). Porto and Al-Ahly each had one point, with Porto’s goal difference (-1) slightly better than Al-Ahly’s (-2).
Porto’s Struggles: Porto’s campaign was underwhelming, with a goalless draw against Palmeiras and a 2-1 loss to Inter Miami, where Samu Aghehowa scored their only goal. Injuries to captain Diogo Costa and midfielder Marko Grujic forced Claudio Ramos to start in goal.
Al-Ahly’s Challenges: Al-Ahly, the CAF Champions League holders, managed a 0-0 draw with Inter Miami but fell 2-0 to Palmeiras, failing to score in either match. Injuries, including Emam Ashour’s collarbone issue, depleted their squad, relying heavily on Wessam Abou Ali and Zizo.
Venue and Atmosphere: The match kicked off at 9:00 PM ET (6:30 AM IST) at MetLife Stadium, with a vibrant crowd dominated by Al-Ahly’s red-clad supporters. The game was live-streamed on DAZN, with no TV broadcast in India.
First Half
1’ Kick-Off: Porto, in their blue-and-white kit, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Claudio Ramos in goal and Samu Aghehowa leading the attack. Al-Ahly, in red, deployed a 4-3-3, with Wessam Abou Ali flanked by Zizo and Trezeguet. Al-Ahly started brightly, pressing high and winning early duels.
5’ Al-Ahly’s Early Pressure: Al-Ahly’s high-pressing disrupted Porto’s rhythm, with Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Hamdi Fathi dominating midfield. A Zizo cross was cleared by Ivan Marcano.
10’ Porto’s First Chance: Porto won a corner, whipped in by Fábio Vieira. João Mário’s pass found an unmarked Rodrigo Mora, whose shot was blocked by Mohamed Hany.
15’ GOAL! Al-Ahly (0-1): Wessam Abou Ali stunned Porto, latching onto a perfect through ball from Hamdi Fathi and slotting past Claudio Ramos. The Palestinian forward’s clinical finish ignited Al-Ahly’s fans.
20’ Al-Ahly’s Counter: Al-Ahly nearly doubled their lead, with Trezeguet’s shot saved by Ramos after a swift counter. Porto struggled to hold possession against Al-Ahly’s relentless pressing.
24’ GOAL! Porto Equalize (1-1): Rodrigo Mora leveled the score, dribbling past Mohamed El Shenawy after a precise pass from Alan Varela and firing into the net. Porto gained momentum.
30’ Hydration Break: The night’s heat at MetLife Stadium prompted a break, with both teams regrouping. Al-Ahly held 52% possession, but Porto’s set-piece threat loomed.
35’ Yellow Card: Mohamed Hany was booked for a heavy foul on William Gomes, halting a Porto counter. Hamdi Fathi’s subsequent shot from the edge of the box went wide.
45’+2 GOAL! Al-Ahly Penalty (1-2): Zizo was fouled by Fábio Vieira in the box, earning a penalty. Wessam Abou Ali struck it powerfully into the right corner, with Ramos diving the wrong way, giving Al-Ahly a halftime lead.
Halftime (Porto 1-2 Al-Ahly): Al-Ahly’s two goals from Abou Ali, including a penalty, gave them the edge, despite Porto’s equalizer. Al-Ahly led shots (10-6) and possession (51%). In the concurrent match, Inter Miami led Palmeiras 1-0, complicating both teams’ qualification hopes.
Second Half
46’ Substitutions: Porto replaced Alan Varela and Danny Namaso with Gonçalo Borges and Samu Aghehowa to bolster their attack. Al-Ahly substituted Hamdi Fathi for Aliou Dieng due to injury.
50’ GOAL! Porto (2-2): William Gomes restored parity, firing a right-footed shot from outside the box into the top right corner after a quick exchange with João Mário. Porto’s fans roared back to life.
51’ GOAL! Al-Ahly (2-3): Wessam Abou Ali struck again, heading in a cross from Zizo to complete his hat-trick and restore Al-Ahly’s lead. The Egyptian side’s counterattacks were relentless.
53’ GOAL! Porto (3-3): Samu Aghehowa equalized, capitalizing on a botched clearance by El Shenawy from a Porto corner to tap in from close range. The match was now wide open.
60’ Al-Ahly’s Pressure: Al-Ahly pushed for a fourth, with Zizo’s shot from inside the box held by Ramos. Porto’s defense, led by José Pedro, was under siege.
64’ GOAL! Al-Ahly (3-4): Wessam Abou Ali’s header from a Trezeguet cross found the center of the net, putting Al-Ahly ahead again. The goal capped his hat-trick, stunning Porto.
70’ Porto’s Response: Porto pushed forward, with Gonçalo Borges’s shot deflected by Yahia Attiyat Allah. Al-Ahly’s defense held firm, with Adham El Aash clearing a dangerous move.
80’ Concurrent Match Impact: News filtered through that Inter Miami and Palmeiras were tied 2-2, meaning both Porto and Al-Ahly needed a win and favorable tiebreakers to advance.
89’ GOAL! Porto (4-4): Pepê salvaged a point for Porto, converting a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations but kept qualification hopes slim.
90’+5 Late Drama: Porto’s Rodrigo Mora forced a save from substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Seha in the 95th minute, while Al-Ahly’s Mohamed Hany missed a shot from outside the box in the 96th minute. Neither team could find a winner.
Full-Time (Porto 4-4 Al-Ahly): The eight-goal thriller ended with both teams sharing the points, but Palmeiras (five points) and Inter Miami (four points) advanced due to their 2-2 draw, eliminating Porto (two points) and Al-Ahly (two points) on goal difference.
Standout Performers
Wessam Abou Ali (Al-Ahly): The Palestinian forward’s hat-trick, including a penalty and a header, earned him an 8.9 rating. His clinical finishing and movement were pivotal.
Rodrigo Mora (Porto): Scored the equalizer in the 24th minute and nearly won it late, earning an 8.2 rating for his dynamism.
Zizo (Al-Ahly): The Egyptian winger’s creativity, including a penalty-winning foul and an assist, earned him an 8.5 rating. His long-range shots tested Ramos repeatedly.
Samu Aghehowa (Porto): The substitute’s goal and constant threat up top earned him a 7.8 rating, building on his earlier strike against Inter Miami.
William Gomes (Porto): His 50th-minute screamer leveled the score, earning a 7.9 rating for his impact off the bench.
Key Statistics
Goals and Shots: Al-Ahly led shots (22-14), with eight on target to Porto’s six. Both teams scored four goals, with Al-Ahly’s xG at 2.4 and Porto’s at 1.9.
Possession: Porto edged possession (56.5% to 43.5%), but Al-Ahly’s counterattacks created more chances.
Set-Pieces: Porto’s third goal came from a corner, highlighting their set-piece strength, while Al-Ahly’s penalty was their only set-piece goal.
Discipline: Mohamed Hany’s yellow card was the only booking, with referee César Ramos managing a heated but fair contest.
Post-Match Analysis
Porto’s Disappointment: Porto’s campaign was marred by their inability to convert chances in earlier matches, with only two goals across three games. Their late rally showed fight, but defensive lapses, especially against Abou Ali, were costly. Coach Anselmi noted, “We gave everything, but it wasn’t enough.”
Al-Ahly’s Resilience: Despite injuries to key players like Emam Ashour, Al-Ahly’s attacking output, led by Abou Ali and Zizo, was impressive. Their failure to score in prior matches made this outburst ironic, as they exited despite their best performance.
Concurrent Match Impact: The 2-2 draw between Palmeiras and Inter Miami, with late goals from Paulinho and Mauricio for Palmeiras, ensured both teams advanced, leaving Porto and Al-Ahly reliant on unattainable tiebreakers.
Group A Outcome: Palmeiras topped Group A with five points, followed by Inter Miami (four points). Porto and Al-Ahly, both with two points, were eliminated due to inferior goal differences (-1 and -2, respectively).
What’s Next?
FC Porto: Eliminated, Porto return to Liga Portugal action, facing Sporting CP on June 29. The Club World Cup exposed their need for sharper finishing and defensive solidity.
Al-Ahly: Also out, Al-Ahly head back to the Egyptian Premier League, facing Zamalek on June 30. Their attacking display offers hope for the domestic season.
Knockout Stage: Palmeiras face Botafogo in an all-Brazilian last 16 clash on June 28 in Philadelphia, while Inter Miami meet PSG in Atlanta on June 29, setting up a Lionel Messi reunion.
Broader Context
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Hosted across 12 U.S. venues, the expanded 32-team tournament has delivered drama, with MetLife Stadium set to host the final on July 13. The group stage, running until June 26, has seen upsets, including Botafogo’s win over PSG and Flamengo’s victory over Chelsea.
Fan Atmosphere: The 39,893 fans, with Al-Ahly’s red jerseys dominating, created a vibrant atmosphere, a positive sign for MetLife’s role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tournament Challenges: Off-field issues, such as Chelsea’s heat-related training struggles in Philadelphia and Rico Lewis’s two-game ban for Manchester City, highlight the tournament’s intensity.
The FC Porto vs. Al-Ahly match was a breathtaking eight-goal thriller, with Wessam Abou Ali’s hat-trick and Porto’s late equalizer from Pepê showcasing both teams’ attacking prowess. However, the 4-4 draw, coupled with Palmeiras and Inter Miami’s tie, consigned both sides to elimination. Al-Ahly’s counterattacking flair and Porto’s set-piece strength made for a memorable spectacle, but their earlier struggles in Group A proved decisive.
As the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 progresses, fans will cherish this MetLife Stadium classic, even as Porto and Al-Ahly turn their focus to domestic campaigns.
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