By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 20, 2025 03:13 AM • 72 views
Palmeiras battled both nature and nerves on Thursday to claim a gritty 2-0 win over African giants Al Ahly, surviving a 50-minute weather delay at MetLife Stadium and climbing to the top of Group A in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
It wasn't the slick, samba-infused football Palmeiras fans have grown accustomed to under head coach Abel Ferreira, but it was effective. Goals in the second half ensured the Brazilian heavyweights took their points tally to four from two matches, following a cagey opening stalemate against FC Porto.
The midday kickoff, compounded by a dramatic lightning storm that halted proceedings midway through the match, turned a must-win encounter into a psychological and physical grind. Yet it was Palmeiras who emerged from the enforced break looking sharper and more clinical.
"We had a difficult opponent, and I thought we played better in our first match against Porto," Ferreira admitted post-match. "The midday kickoff impacted our players, and we weren't able to be as dynamic. But in the second half, we adjusted and played a better game."
That adjustment was visible in the form of quicker transitions and more width, which stretched Al Ahly's defensive structure and opened up space. Palmeiras broke the deadlock just minutes after the weather-induced pause with a deft finish from striker Rony after a flowing move down the left flank.
From there, the momentum tilted firmly toward the Brazilians. Al Ahly, despite holding their own for much of the first half, struggled to reestablish rhythm and were punished again late on when a defensive error led to Palmeiras' second, courtesy of substitute Endrick, who continues to shine on the global stage.
Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro was candid in his post-match assessment:
"It was an equal first half, and we felt a goal could come for us at any time. But in the second half, we didn't perform as well. We tried to go again after the weather break with fresh legs, but it didn't work out."
A Continental Weight to Bear
For Palmeiras, this victory holds more than just tournament value. South American clubs treat the Club World Cup with reverence — a symbolic battlefield to prove their mettle against European and international elites. With Brazil sending four clubs to this expanded edition, the pressure to represent CONMEBOL with distinction is immense. Their opening draw against Porto had left little room for error. Thursday's result was, therefore, essential — not just for points but for confidence and continuity. Ferreira knows, however, that to go deep into the tournament, his side will need to combine resolve with refinement. "Today was about adaptation," he said. "But we'll need to be much better going forward." Palmeiras now sit in pole position in Group A, and with their knockout hopes strengthened, attention turns to their final group fixture — a chance to secure top seeding and further stake their claim as Brazil's leading contender on the global stage. For Al Ahly, the path to the knockout rounds narrows. The African champions will need a result in their final match and a bit of help elsewhere to keep their campaign alive.
