Egypt Daily News – The thrilling match between Al Ahly and Porto captivated the attention of international media, thanks to its dramatic events and a total of eight goals scored in their final group-stage match at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Football fans around the globe were treated to an unforgettable night as the game ended in a gripping 4-4 draw, marking the end of the road for both clubs in the tournament. Palmeiras and Inter Miami advanced to the Round of 16 from Group A, leaving Al Ahly and Porto officially eliminated.
Porto became only the second European club to exit the competition at the group stage, following Atletico Madrid’s early elimination from Group B. Despite their efforts, the 4-4 result was of no benefit to either side, as Palmeiras and Inter Miami also drew 2-2 in the other match, securing their progression.
The match itself was filled with emotion, intensity, and relentless pace. Al Ahly held the lead for most of the game, but Porto kept fighting back until veteran defender Pepe scored a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute, dashing both teams’ hopes of advancing.
From the outset, the game was more than just a competition—it became a battle for pride. Al Ahly led 2-1 at halftime, and the second half escalated into pure chaos with three goals scored in three minutes. Al Ahly’s striker Wissam Abu Ali stole the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick.
Despite showing clear dominance and tactical discipline, Al Ahly missed several opportunities to seal the win, allowing Porto to stay in the game. Porto, meanwhile, struggled with defensive collapses and lacked a clear tactical imprint from coach Martín Anselmi.
The late equalizer by Pepe was a crushing blow for Al Ahly, who had pushed with everything they had in search of victory. The result left both teams out of contention, ending their campaigns in heartbreak despite putting on a footballing spectacle.
Porto’s exit was particularly disappointing, as they left the tournament without a single win. Coach Martín Anselmi’s side appeared lackluster, especially compared to Al Ahly’s well-organized and energetic performance. The Egyptian club exploited Porto’s defensive errors effectively, maintaining control for much of the match.
Wissam Abu Ali’s hat-trick was a historic moment. He became the second player ever to score a hat-trick in the new format of the Club World Cup, following Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala against Auckland City. More importantly, Abu Ali is now the first player in Al Ahly’s history to achieve this feat in the tournament, and the first Palestinian to score a hat-trick at the Club World Cup.
He received the highest rating of the match 9.3, outshining all players from both teams with his performance and won “Man of the Match”.
After the match, Porto player Iván Marcano expressed his disappointment, stating: “We missed out on a lot this season and couldn’t meet our basic goals. We had to win this game and by a big margin. Their counterattacks were unstoppable, and we couldn’t deal with them.”
He added, “Yes, we were very tired, but that’s not an excuse, Al Ahly were also fatigued, and they still played better than us. The issue wasn’t the defensive formation; we’re used to tactical changes. I want to thank the Porto fans. We tried our best, but it wasn’t enough.”
Marcano concluded by calling for reflection and improvement: “Now we need to rest and think about what we can improve. The club will do its part, and we’ll try to support that, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough in this tournament. It’s a real shame.”
In the end, Al Ahly and Porto exit the Club World Cup with heads held high for their fighting spirit, but the emotional rollercoaster of their final match will be remembered as a bittersweet chapter in their football journey.
