Palmeiras Move Closer to Knockouts with Commanding Win Over Al Ahly

Palmeiras took a giant step towards the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Egypt’s Al Ahly in their second group stage match.

It took until the second half for the game to truly open up, but once it did, the Brazilian side made their dominance count. The breakthrough came in the 49th minute under bizarre circumstances. From a seemingly harmless free-kick on the left flank, confusion in the Al Ahly defence saw two players go for the same ball—only for Abo Ali to inadvertently head it into the top corner of his own net.

The own goal proved to be a psychological blow from which the Egyptian side never recovered. Until that point, Al Ahly had executed a cautious but disciplined game plan—slowing the tempo, playing safe passes, and doing just enough to frustrate the South American champions. But with that moment of misfortune, the structure began to unravel.

Just ten minutes later, Palmeiras doubled their lead with a classic counter. Lopez picked up the ball in midfield and surged forward, brushing aside the defensive line before placing a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Then, in a strange twist, play was suspended for nearly an hour due to reports of incoming severe weather. Rain, however, never arrived in earnest, and the match resumed under steady skies. From that point on, it was business as usual for Palmeiras, who managed the game with professionalism and control, rarely looking troubled.

With four points from two matches and a superior goal difference, Palmeiras now stand firmly atop Group A and are on the brink of securing a place in the knockout rounds.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Palmeiras - Al Ahly SC 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: Abou Ali, 49 (own goal) (1:0); López José, 59 (2:0)

Palmeiras: Weverton; Giay A.; Gómez Gu.; Murilo; Piquerez; Moreno An. (Martínez Em., 67); Veiga (Mauricio, 46); Ríos; Estêvão (Vanderlan, 76); Vitor Roque (López José, 46); Torres Fa. (Paulinho F., 76)
Bench: Marcelo Lomba; Mayke; Micael; Rocha; Fuchs B.; Allan; Felipe Anderson; Lucas Evangelista; Luighi; Thalys
Yellow Cards: Veiga 39; Giay A. 43; Piquerez 74; Ríos 96

Al Ahly SC: El Shenawy M.; Attiyat-Allah (El Shahat, 87); Dari (Ramadan, 62); Ibrahim; Hany; Ateya; Ben Romdhane; Zizo; Fathi H. (Afsha, 61); Hassan (Bencharki, 61); Abou Ali (Gradišar, 61)
Bench: Makhlouf; Seha; Shobeir; Abdelfattah; Kamal; El Debes; El Aash; Reda; Dieng Al.; Koka
Yellow Cards: Fathi H. 42; Attiyat-Allah 45; Ateya 79