Eight-goal thriller ends in heartbreak for Al Ahly and Porto in Club World Cup

Al Ahly and FC Porto were both eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup following a wild 4-4 draw at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Despite the high-scoring spectacle, neither side secured the result needed to advance, with Inter Miami and Palmeiras progressing from Group A.

Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali starred with a hat-trick for Al Ahly, while Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane also found the net. Yet every time the Egyptian champions pulled ahead, Porto clawed their way back.

Teenagers Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes, substitute Samu Aghehowa, and veteran Pepe were all on the scoresheet for the Portuguese side in a match that saw both teams abandon structure in favor of a relentless pursuit of goals.



Al Ahly opened the scoring through Abou Ali in the 15th minute, only for Mora to respond with a solo run and finish for 1-1 eight minutes later. Abou Ali converted a penalty just before halftime, but Gomes leveled again five minutes after the break.

Abou Ali completed his hat-trick with a powerful header almost immediately, but Porto equalized yet again through Aghehowa's well-placed header after two minutes.

Al Ahly’s Ben Romdhane appeared to seal it with a curling long-range strike in the 64th minute, giving 4-3 lead to the Egyptian side, but seasoned Pepe scored in the 89th minute to enforce a high-scoring stalemate.

"I'm very sad, very very sad," said a dejected Abou Ali after the match. "We should have scored five or six. The opportunity was there."