A football match that ends 4-4 is usually a treat for neutrals, but for FC Porto and Al Ahly, the eight-goal thriller at MetLife Stadium had a painful twist: it eliminated both teams from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The draw on June 23, 2025, left both clubs winless in the group stage, with Porto rallying through an 89th-minute equalizer from Pepê (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
Final Score: 4-4 ·
Date: June 23, 2025 ·
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford ·
Man of the Match: Wessam Abou Ali ·
Porto Late Equalizer Scorer: Pepê (89th minute)
Quick snapshot
- 4-4 draw at MetLife Stadium (FIFA (world football governing body))
- Wessam Abou Ali scored a hat-trick for Al Ahly (CAF Online (African football confederation))
- Both teams eliminated from the tournament (Hudson River Blue (independent football blog))
- Exact qualification path for Porto – UEFA coefficient vs Champions League win needs official confirmation
- Whether Al Ahly’s elimination was confirmed before other group matches concluded
- June 23, 2025: 4-4 draw, both teams exit Club World Cup (FIFA)
- Both clubs return to domestic and continental competitions; Porto focus on Primeira Liga, Al Ahly on Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League (ESPN)
The table below summarizes the key data from the match and each club’s background.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Match Date | June 23, 2025 |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Final Score | FC Porto 4-4 Al Ahly |
| Man of the Match | Wessam Abou Ali (Al Ahly) |
| Porto’s Last Goal | Pepê (89th minute) |
| Tournament Stage | Group stage – both eliminated |
| Porto’s Goalscorers | Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes, Samu Aghehowa, Pepê (ESPN) |
| Al Ahly’s Goalscorers | Wessam Abou Ali, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Hudson River Blue) |
Here is a direct comparison of both clubs’ credentials heading into the match.
| Attribute | FC Porto | Al Ahly |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1893 | 1907 |
| Biggest rival | Benfica (O Clássico) | Zamalek (Cairo Derby) |
| Best Club World Cup finish | Runner-up (2004) | Third place (2021) |
Is Ahly out of the Club World Cup?
Yes, Al Ahly were eliminated from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after the 4-4 draw with Porto. The result left both teams on two points from three group matches, and neither could advance to the knockout rounds (CAF Online).
A side that scores four goals in a group-stage match usually expects to win. For Al Ahly, that output still wasn’t enough – because Porto matched them each time, including a stoppage-time equalizer that ended both teams’ hopes.
How did the draw affect both teams’ standings?
- Porto and Al Ahly each finished the group stage on 2 points (ESPN).
- Both clubs ended the tournament without a victory (Hudson River Blue).
- The draw meant neither team could surpass the group leaders on tiebreakers.
What were the group stage implications?
The CAF described the match as a “stunning eight-goal thriller” (CAF Online), but the entertainment came at a cost: elimination for both clubs. Al Ahly, record African champions, were expected to progress, but the draw denied them the victory needed to advance.
Why does Porto qualify for the Club World Cup?
Porto’s place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was secured through their performance in UEFA competitions. Clubs qualify either by winning the UEFA Champions League or by accumulating a high UEFA coefficient ranking over a four-year cycle (Wikipedia – 2025 FIFA Club World Cup). Porto’s recent European record – including deep runs in the Champions League – earned them a spot.
How do UEFA clubs qualify?
- UEFA Champions League winner gets an automatic berth
- Additional slots are allocated based on the UEFA association club coefficients
- Porto qualified through the coefficient pathway
What is Porto’s recent European record?
Porto have been consistent performers in European competitions. They won the Champions League in 2004 and have reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals in recent years. That pedigree, combined with strong finishes in the Primeira Liga, boosted their coefficient ranking above several other European clubs.
Despite their historic European success, Porto’s 2025 Club World Cup campaign ended without a win, raising questions about whether coefficient-based qualification truly reflects current form.
Who is Porto’s biggest rival?
Porto’s fiercest rival is Benfica. Matches between the two are known as O Clássico, the biggest fixture in Portuguese football (Wikipedia – O Clássico). The rivalry is rooted in historical, political, and regional divides – Porto representing the north and Benfica the capital Lisbon.
What is O Clássico?
- O Clássico refers to any match between Porto and Benfica
- It is the most-watched club match in Portugal
- The two clubs have won the majority of Primeira Liga titles
How does the rivalry with Benfica compare?
The rivalry with Benfica is intense, but Porto also have a strong derby with Boavista (the Porto derby) and a competitive history with Sporting CP. However, O Clássico remains the defining rivalry because of the title implications and the cultural contrast between north and south.
Who is Al Ahly’s biggest rival?
Al Ahly’s biggest rival is Zamalek. Their matches are called the Cairo Derby, the most prominent fixture in African club football (Britannica (encyclopaedia publisher)). The rivalry dates back to the early 20th century and extends beyond football into social and cultural spheres.
Which Egyptian clubs are the main rivals?
- Zamalek is Al Ahly’s primary domestic rival
- Other rivals include Ismaily and Pyramids FC, but none match the intensity of the Cairo Derby
What is the Cairo Derby?
The Cairo Derby is contested between Al Ahly and Zamalek, the two most successful clubs in Egypt and Africa. Matches often draw massive crowds and carry huge stakes for league titles and bragging rights. The rivalry is fueled by opposing fan bases, political associations, and a long history of close contests.
For Al Ahly fans, the Club World Cup exit is painful, but the team will quickly shift focus to the Cairo Derby. A win against Zamalek can restore pride far more than any tournament performance.
Who was the man of the match in Al Ahly vs Porto?
Wessam Abou Ali was named the Man of the Match for his hat-trick in the 4-4 draw (FIFA (world football governing body)). His three goals kept Al Ahly in front multiple times, and his performance was widely praised in post-match reports.
What did Wessam Abou Ali contribute?
- Scored a hat-trick – the highlight of his Club World Cup campaign
- Provided constant threat to Porto’s defence with pace and positioning
How was the award decided?
The FIFA technical study group selects the Man of the Match based on impact. Abou Ali’s hat-trick in a high-scoring draw made him the obvious choice. ESPN’s match report also highlighted his influence on the game (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
Timeline
- Pre-2025: Porto and Al Ahly qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup through their respective confederations (Wikipedia)
- June 23, 2025: Match played at MetLife Stadium; ends 4-4 after Pepê equalizes in the 89th minute (ESPN)
- June 23, 2025: Both teams confirmed eliminated from the tournament (CAF Online)
“It was a stunning eight-goal thriller that ultimately saw both sides exit the tournament.”
CAF Online (African football confederation)
“Porto equalized four separate times, with Pepê’s 89th-minute strike the final blow that denied Al Ahly victory.”
ESPN (sports news outlet)
Summary
The 4-4 draw between Porto and Al Ahly was one of the most entertaining matches of the 2025 Club World Cup, but it came with a harsh reality: elimination for both. For Porto, the result ends a campaign that raised questions about coefficient-based qualification. For Al Ahly, it’s a missed opportunity to add a second Club World Cup title to their record. For fans of both clubs, the takeaway is clear: the tournament’s group stage format leaves no room for draws, no matter how thrilling. The only way forward is to win – or face an early exit.
Related reading: Athletic Club vs Barcelona: History, Stats & Head-to-Head
The dramatic Porto vs Al Ahly 4-4 draw left both clubs eliminated from the tournament in a stunning twist.
Frequently asked questions
How many Club World Cups has Al Ahly won?
Al Ahly have won the FIFA Club World Cup once, in 2021, when they finished third. They also won the African Champions League multiple times.
What is Porto’s best Club World Cup finish?
Porto’s best finish is second place, which they achieved in 2004 after losing to Corinthians in the final.
Who scored for Porto in the 4-4 draw?
Porto’s goals were scored by Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes, Samu Aghehowa, and Pepê (ESPN).
Who scored for Al Ahly in the 4-4 draw?
Al Ahly’s goals came from Wessam Abou Ali (hat-trick) and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (ESPN).
What is the capacity of MetLife Stadium?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has a seating capacity of approximately 82,500.
Did any player receive a red card in the match?
No red cards were shown during the match, according to match reports.
How does the Club World Cup group stage work?
The 2025 tournament features a group stage with four groups of four teams. The top two from each group advance to the quarter-finals. A draw leaves both teams vulnerable if other results don’t favour them.
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Jessica Morin covers provincial policy, regional economics and public affairs across British Columbia.