In a thrilling encounter at MetLife Stadium, Porto and Al Ahly delivered an electrifying eight-goal spectacle, despite both teams entering this year’s FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) pre-kick-off without having scored from open play. The match ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw, resulting in the elimination of both teams from Group A.
Amidst the sweltering 32°C (91°F) heat of New Jersey, the initial thirty minutes of this crucial clash unfolded at a breakneck pace.
Porto, surprisingly without their standout striker Samu in the starting XI, began tentatively yet almost drew first blood when Rodrigo Mora failed to connect cleanly with a volley from close range.
However, less than a minute later, Al Ahly capitalised on that miss, scoring for the first time in this CWC to take the lead.Hamdy Fathy surged toward the box, perfectly timing a through ball to Wessam Abou Ali, who finished expertly by slotting it into the far corner.
Porto responded with determination, led by William Gomes, who saw one attempt sail over the crossbar and another brilliantly saved by Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy.
Yet, even the skilled El Shenawy could do little as the enigmatic Mora equalised in stunning fashion.
The young prodigy skillfully manoeuvred past two defenders, displaying remarkable composure as he rounded El Shenawy and tucked the ball into the far corner.
The first half’s frenetic pace continued when Zizo was brought down by Fabio Vieira in the box, earning a penalty for Al Ahly.
Abou Ali confidently converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and bagging his second goal of the night, ensuring Al Ahly went into halftime with the lead.
After the break, it seemed incredible that the game could maintain such intensity; however, both teams continued to push forward as three goals were netted in just three minutes early in the second half.
First, Gomes marked his debut goal for Porto by firing into the far corner after cutting in from the left. Then, less than a minute later, Abou Ali completed his second hat-trick in six appearances with a deft header at the back post from Mohamed Hany’s precise delivery.
The frustration for both coaching staffs grew as substitute Samu was allowed an unchallenged header from a Porto corner, which he converted with ease, pulling the score to 3-3.
Although the entertainment was flowing, this was a must-win situation for both sides.
Al Ahly remained the more likely to find the winner, reclaiming the lead for the fourth time that night through a brilliantly curled effort from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane that sailed past Claudio Ramos.
Despite several missed opportunities to seal the match, Samu also squandered a chance for Porto when he shockingly headed wide.
In a stunning turn of events, Porto equalised for the fourth time in the 89th minute when Pepe launched a powerful strike from distance, concluding a thrilling encounter that ultimately saw both teams exit the tournament.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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