Palmeiras Boss Abel Ferreira: "We Dominated, But Porto’s Goalkeeper Was the Hero"

Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira expressed frustration following his side’s goalless draw against FC Porto in their opening match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. While disappointed with the result, the Portuguese tactician praised his team’s commitment.

Cláudio Ramos – the unlikely hero

"We were the better team, we created more chances, but football is magical like that," Ferreira said. "Their main goalkeeper was injured and Ramos came in. He made four or five incredible saves. He was without a doubt the man of the match."

"We had enough chances – Estêvão’s efforts, one-on-one situations, pressing recoveries. We lacked just one thing: the goal."

Disappointed with the scoreline, not the performance

"I’m proud of my players. We played with intensity, pressed well, and imposed our style. The result wasn’t what we hoped for, but we showed we’re capable of competing at the highest level," the coach added.

Looking ahead to Al Ahly

Palmeiras will face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their second group stage match on Thursday, 19 June.

"Now the focus is on recovery, analysing what can be improved, and moving forward. As a coach, I can influence tactics, atmosphere, and mindset – but in the end, it’s the players who make decisions. They choose when to shoot, pass, or dribble. We provide direction, but they play the game," concluded Ferreira.