Palmeiras secured a 2-0 win over Al Ahly at the FIFA Club World Cup, in a match disrupted by a 40-minute suspension due to severe weather in New Jersey.
The game was halted in the 62nd minute when referee Anthony Taylor ordered the players off the pitch at MetLife Stadium, as dark storm clouds rolled in and lightning threatened the area. A message on the stadium screens urged fans to vacate the seating bowl and seek shelter indoors.
Earlier, players had already taken a cooling break during the first half as temperatures soared to 31°C, adding to the testing conditions.
Palmeiras broke the deadlock shortly after half-time when Al Ahly defender Achraf Dari inadvertently headed a Palmeiras free-kick into his own net. That goal ended a long drought in Group A, with no side having scored in the opening 257 minutes of group-stage action.
The Brazilian side doubled their lead just 10 minutes later through substitute Jose Lopez. The forward had squandered a chance moments after his half-time introduction but made no mistake on the counter-attack, using strength and composure to find the net and seal the result.
Palmeiras were fortunate to still have all 11 players on the pitch by that point, after a red card for midfielder Raphael Veiga was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR review. Veiga was initially sent off for a high challenge on Zizo, but Taylor reviewed the incident pitchside and reversed his decision, saying “contact is low on the foot and he does not leave the floor two-footed.”
Who Impressed—and Who Didn’t?
Despite Al Ahly’s defeat, returning star Trezeguet stood out in just his second appearance since rejoining the Egyptian giants. The 30-year-old winger caused problems down the left and gave Palmeiras right-back Agustin Giay a tough time before being substituted after 61 minutes. However, Trezeguet was often left isolated without sufficient support in attack.
Chelsea-bound Palmeiras prodigy Estevao Willian provided an early spark, beating two defenders before dragging a shot just wide. But the 18-year-old struggled to leave a lasting impact on the match. Estevao, hailed by Palmeiras academy chief Joao Paulo Sampaio as “the best Brazilian talent since Neymar,” will officially join Chelsea after the tournament concludes.
Weather Overshadows Play
The primary talking point of the afternoon was once again the punishing conditions. Despite the midday kickoff, the intense heat quickly gave way to a looming storm. While half the sky remained bright blue, ominous clouds blanketed the other half, forcing a safety-driven suspension.
The 40-minute delay disrupted the rhythm of a match that had begun to build intensity. In such conditions, the risk of injury increases as players’ bodies cool down during extended stoppages.
This game marked another instance of challenging playing conditions during the tournament, with PSG manager Luis Enrique previously noting the heat’s effect during their 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
What’s Next?
The final round of Group A fixtures will be played simultaneously at 02:00 BST on Tuesday. Palmeiras, now top of the group with four points from two matches, will travel to Florida to face Inter Miami. Al Ahly, who remain on one point, will stay in New Jersey to take on Porto in a must-win encounter.
Palmeiras are now in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds, while Al Ahly must produce a big performance to stay in the competition.
