In what was arguably the most electrifying match of the FIFA Club World Cup so far, FC Porto and Al Ahly played out a pulsating 4–4 draw at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — a result that ultimately saw both clubs crash out of the tournament despite the spectacle.
The night belonged to Al Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali, who netted a stunning hat-trick, but it was Porto’s Pepê who had the final say, blasting home a late equaliser in the 89th minute to deny the Egyptians a fairytale finish.
Al Ahly struck first in the 15th minute as Abou Ali calmly finished off a well-crafted move initiated by Hamdy Fathy. Porto responded quickly through 18-year-old prodigy Rodrigo Mora, who dazzled with a solo run and neat finish in the 23rd minute to make it 1–1.
Just before the break, Al Ahly regained their lead when Zizo was brought down in the box. Abou Ali stepped up and dispatched the penalty coolly to put the Cairo side ahead 2–1 at halftime.
The second half erupted with a flurry of goals in quick succession. Porto’s William Gomes unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box in the 50th minute to equalise. But Abou Ali responded immediately, completing his hat-trick just one minute later with a commanding header.
Porto weren’t done, though. In the 53rd minute, Samu Aghehowa rose high to head home from a Fábio Vieira corner, pulling the match level once again at 3–3.
The relentless tempo continued as Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane curled in a spectacular goal in the 64th minute after an assist from Achraf Bencharki — a goal worthy of winning any contest. But in the dying stages, Pepê rifled in an unstoppable shot to tie the game at 4–4.
Despite the drama and dazzling display of attacking football, both teams were eliminated as Palmeiras’ late rally in the other Group B match saw them clinch progression. For Al Ahly, it was a painful end despite the passionate support from thousands of travelling fans.
Wessam Abou Ali (Al Ahly FC) – A hat-trick hero under the lights, delivering a performance that underlined his status as one of Africa’s brightest talents. The match will go down as one of the most memorable in recent Club World Cup history — a game of brilliance, heartbreak, and football at its finest.
