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Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
European giants humbled as Club World Cup script gets rewritten
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group A - FC Porto v Al Ahly - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 23, 2025 Al Ahly's Achraf Bencharki celebrates after Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scores their fourth goal IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mark Smith REUTERS Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Paris St Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, U.S. - June 19, 2025 Botafogo's John and Alexander Barboza celebrate after the match as Paris St Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks dejected REUTERS/Daniel Cole PHILADELPHIA - The script seemed predetermined - Europe's football giants would cruise through FIFA's expanded Club World Cup against grateful opponents from distant continents. Instead, the tournament has delivered a plot twist, leaving the game's traditional powerhouses scrambling for explanations. With Porto and Atletico Madrid eliminated in the group stage and European sides winning just two of seven matches against South American opposition, the continent's expected dominance has failed to materialise. "We knew beforehand that the tournament came at the end of a long season, whereas for the South Americans it's right in the middle, when they are peaking," lamented Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone after his side's early exit. The exhaustion narrative has become familiar, with players' union FIFPro Europe pursuing legal action against FIFA over the punishing calendar. There's also America's scorching summer heat. But South Americans, however, reject these explanations entirely. "Having played for many years in Europe, I don't buy this end-of-season fatigue narrative," said Flamengo's Filipe Luis, who played under Simeone at Atletico, after a commanding 3-1 win over Chelsea. "We came here seeing every game as a final. That makes a big difference." Statistics further complicate the European exhaustion argument. Among participating clubs, four Brazilian teams, including Botafogo, top the list for matches played in the last year, each surpassing 70 games. Botafogo, who qualified from Group B along with Paris St Germain at the expense of Atletico Madrid, played 18 more matches than their Spanish opponents during the same period. While Brazilian teams had a month's rest before their domestic season began, their packed schedules have long been a source of complaint in South America. Brazilian great Zico criticised European attitudes, saying, "We are seeing some European figures act like they own football and that must stop. As soon as they see things not going well, they start making lots of excuses." 'They seem unable to play when faced with adversity. The heat is the same for everyone and we have been playing forever the previous version of the Club World Cup at the end of our season. So why is it now a problem?' The Club World Cup in its previous format was played in December. Not all European managers have blamed external factors for their teams' struggles. Juventus coach Igor Tudor said he didn't see "any signs of fatigue" in his squad, while PSG boss Luis Enrique, despite a surprise 1-0 loss to Botafogo, praised the tournament. "I think the concept is brilliant. It's a celebration of all football," Luis Enrique said. "It's no surprise for me. It's nice to see teams from different parts of the world." The tournament, traditionally dominated by European clubs, has seen South American teams embrace the opportunity to challenge the hierarchy and as matches continue under the scorching summer heat, the event has evolved into a genuine global competition. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Egypt Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Egypt Today
Al-Ahly and Porto share 4-4 draw but head to Club World Cup exit
Palestine striker Wessam Abou Ali scored a hat-trick and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane also found the net for the Egyptian champions but Porto pegged them back every time they went ahead. Teenagers Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes, substitute Samu Aghehowa and Pepe all scored for the Portuguese club as both teams all but abandoned defending in search of goals that might keep them alive in the tournament.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Porto and Al-Ahly are eliminated from Club World Cup after a 4-4 draw
Porto's Samu Aghehowa and Al Ahly's Achraf Dari go after the ball during the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Al Ahly's Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, centre, gestures to supporters after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Al Ahly's Achraf Dari is tackled by Porto's Pepe, left, during the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Porto's Gonçalo Borges reacts after the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Porto's Gonçalo Borges reacts after the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Porto's Samu Aghehowa and Al Ahly's Achraf Dari go after the ball during the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Al Ahly's Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, centre, gestures to supporters after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Al Ahly's Achraf Dari is tackled by Porto's Pepe, left, during the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Porto's Gonçalo Borges reacts after the Club World Cup Group A soccer match between FC Porto and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Pepê's goal in the 89th minute gave Porto a 4-4 tie against Al-Ahly in a back-and-forth match Monday night, before both teams were eliminated from the Club World Cup on goal differential. Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes and Samu Aghehowa also scored for the Portuguese team. Wessam Abou Ali had a hat trick for the Egyptian team in front of a crowd of 39,893 at MetLife Stadium, where a sea of red jerseys dominated the stands. Advertisement Both teams pushed for a late goal before the final whistle but neither could score again to finish above Inter Miami after its 2-2 tie with Palmeiras. Mohamed Seha saved Mora's 95th-minute shot from the left side of the box. Al-Ahly had a strong counterattack all evening and nearly stole a late lead after Mohamed Hany sent a right-footed shot from outside the box but missed to the left in the 96th minute. Porto held an advantage in possession with 56.5% but Al-Ahly created more opportunities with a 22-14 advantage on shots. A penalty just minutes into extra time kept Al-Ahly in the lead going into halftime. Porto gained momentum after Gomes sent a right-footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Advertisement Wessam consolidated his hat trick with a header that sent the ball into the center of the box. Key moment Pepê converted the tying goal with his right foot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. Takeaways Both teams finished 0-2-1 in the tournament.
CNA
24-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Al-Ahly and Porto share 4-4 draw but head to Club World Cup exit
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey :Al Ahly and Porto shared a highly entertaining 4-4 draw in their final game at the Club World Cup on Monday but both teams will head home as Inter Miami and Palmeiras drew to progress to the round of 16 from Group A. Palestine striker Wessam Abou Ali scored a hat-trick and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane also found the net for the Egyptian champions but Porto pegged them back every time they went ahead. Teenagers Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes, substitute Samu Aghehowa and Pepe all scored for the Portuguese club as both teams all but abandoned defending in search of goals that might keep them alive in the tournament. In the end, though, the 2-2 draw between Inter and Palmeiras in Miami was enough to render all of the many other permutations null and void.
Reuters
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Al-Ahly and Porto share 4-4 draw but head to Club World Cup exit
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, June 23 (Reuters) - Al Ahly and Porto shared a highly entertaining 4-4 draw in their final game at the Club World Cup on Monday but both teams will head home as Inter Miami and Palmeiras drew to progress to the round of 16 from Group A. Palestine striker Wessam Abou Ali scored a hat-trick and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane also found the net for the Egyptian champions but Porto pegged them back every time they went ahead. Teenagers Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes, substitute Samu Aghehowa and Pepe all scored for the Portuguese club as both teams all but abandoned defending in search of goals that might keep them alive in the tournament. In the end, though, the 2-2 draw between Inter and Palmeiras in Miami was enough to render all of the many other permutations null and void.
