2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage ended very dramatically as Porto and Al-Ahly scored 4-4 at MetLife Stadium, therefore both teams were eliminated from the tournament. No one had scored from open play before kickoff, but they arranged a feast for the spectators.
Al-Ahly scored first by Wessam Abou Ali’s goal, but Porto answered with Rodrigo Mora’s bright individual goal. The Egyptian side regained the lead from the penalty spot through Abou Ali, who was later to become a hat-trick with a precise header, thus making it two hat-tricks in just six games. Porto equalized thrice, including a late rocket from Pepê in the 89th minute, but the result left both teams short of the required points.
Palmeiras on the other hand, have come from the brink to draw Inter Miami 2-2 after going 2-0 down to top Group A. Two goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez gave Miami the initiative, but late goals from Paulinho and Mauricio ensured Palmeiras stayed undefeated. Miami also advanced due to goal difference, thus arranging a challenging fixture against Group B winners Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG comfortably defeated Seattle Sounders 2-0 to grab their place in the last 16. Vitinha’s shot—deflected off Kvaratskhelia—and Achraf Hakimi’s goals were the difference. Seattle had their chances despite the scoreline, but they failed to take advantage of Donnarumma’s early mistake.
In other places, Atlético Madrid has certainly become the first side from Europe to be eliminated in the same tournament after a 1-0 victory over Botafogo. Griezmann’s goal in the dying minutes of the game was not sufficient to compensate for their worse goal difference, after the 4-0 defeat against PSG which was earlier in the group. Botafogo go through the next round still, and they are going to play against Palmeiras in the round of 16, an all-Brazilian clash.
