Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Ahly Eliminated from Club World Cup as Messi Faces Former Team

Egyptian side Al Ahly exited the FIFA Club World Cup after a 4-4 draw with Portugal’s Porto, finishing fourth in Group A with two points, three behind both Inter Miami (second) and group leaders Palmeiras (first), who drew 2-2. Porto also bowed out, finishing third with two points.

The Egyptian champions had previously lost 0-2 to Palmeiras in the second round after a goalless draw with Inter Miami in the tournament opener.

Palestinian striker Wissam Abou Ali scored a hat-trick for Ahly in the 15th, 45+2 (penalty), and 51st minutes, while Tunisian teammate Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane netted the fourth goal (64). Porto’s goals came through Rodrigo Mora (23), William Gomes (50), and substitutes Samu (53) and Pepe (89).

Abou Ali became the second player in Al Ahly history to score a hat-trick in a single Club World Cup edition, following club legend Mohamed Aboutrika in 2006. He also joined five others as joint-second top scorers for the club in the competition, trailing Aboutrika, who has four goals.

Messi Set to Face Former Club

In the other match played in Miami, hosts Inter Miami squandered their lead and drew 2-2 with Palmeiras, setting up a Round of 16 clash with French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain. That means Argentine star Lionel Messi will face his former teammates on Sunday in Atlanta.

Inter’s goals were scored by Argentine Tadeo Allende (16) and Uruguayan Luis Suárez (65), while Palmeiras equalized through substitutes Paulinho (80) and Mauricio (87).

Meanwhile in Seattle, Paris Saint-Germain clinched top spot in Group B with a convincing 2-0 win over hosts Seattle Sounders. The opening goal came after a corner found Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, whose off-target shot deflected off Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s back into the net.

The Parisian club sealed the win with a second goal by Achraf Hakimi, after a quick combination between Désiré Doué and substitute Bradley Barcola, who had come on for Kvaratskhelia (68). It marked Hakimi’s 10th goal across all competitions this season.

At the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles, in front of 22,992 fans, Atlético Madrid of Spain scored a late winner against Brazil’s Botafogo, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the Round of 16, as they needed a higher goal margin.

With just three minutes left in regular time, French forward Antoine Griezmann, who had replaced Englishman Conor Gallagher at halftime, scored the match-winner after a pass from Argentine Julian Alvarez.

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