Palmeiras Vs Al-Ahly, FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Highlights: Verdao Win 2-0 In Weather-Hit Clash As Red Devils Fall Short

The match is about to start in a few minutes. The players are out on the pitch, and the referee is looking at his watch. The match will start at 9:30 pm IST.

The referee's whistle goes, and we’re off. Al Ahly get us started as the match kicks into gear.

Hamdi Fathy lines up a shot for Al Ahly, letting fly with intent, but his effort doesn’t make it through, a defender steps in sharply to make the block and deny him a crack at goal.

Estevao goes for goal, nearly making his mark. The Chelsea-bound teenager finds space and fires a low effort that whistles just wide of the post, so close to breaking the deadlock.

Palmeiras push again!
Facundo Torres spots space on the far side and whips a long, searching ball across the pitch, but the defence reads it well and gets a crucial touch to cut it out. Wait, it’s taken a deflection. The referee points to the corner flag. Palmeiras win themselves a corner.

Raphael Veiga flies into a reckless challenge, and it’s a nasty one. The referee doesn’t hesitate. Out comes the red. Veiga is sent off, leaving Palmeiras down to ten. That challenge had no place on the pitch, and now the hosts have a mountain to climb.

But hold on, we’re not done yet. After a pause and some chatter in the ear, Taylor makes the VAR signal and heads to the screen.

It’s tense. The crowd holds its breath. And there it is, red downgraded to yellow. Veiga catches a huge break and stays on the pitch. Palmeiras breathe a massive sigh of relief.

Wessam Abou Ali darts in behind the Palmeiras backline, latching onto a through ball with only the keeper to beat, but up goes the flag! The move’s cut short for offside, and any hopes of a stoppage-time stunner fade.

Seconds later, Anthony Taylor puts the whistle to his lips and calls time on the first half. A fiery 45 , with one major VAR twist, comes to a close.

Disaster for Al Ahly as Wessam Abou Ali, trying to clear a dangerous cross into the box, mistimes his header and sends it looping into the top right corner of his own net. The goalkeeper can only watch in disbelief, it’s an own goal, and Palmeiras take the lead.

Facundo Torres snaps into a challenge, cleanly pinching the ball, or so he thinks. Just as he looks to burst forward, Anthony Taylor blows the whistle for a foul. Torres can’t believe it. He throws his arms up in frustration, furious with the decision, as the momentum is snatched away from Verdao.

Flaco Lopez is played through with a razor-sharp pass that slices open the defence. One-on-one with the keeper, he stays ice-cool and rifles it into the bottom right corner. Clinical. Ruthless. Verdao double their lead in style.

In a bizarre twist, the game comes to a standstill due to adverse weather conditions, even though the skies remain clear and blue. Whatever’s brewing off-camera, it’s serious enough for officials to call for a 40-minute delay. Players are off the pitch, fans look confused, and we’re now in wait-and-watch mode. Football takes a backseat, for now.

The players are making their way back out as the delay nears its end. After an extended break due to adverse weather conditions, we should be back underway shortly. The game is set to resume with Palmeiras still holding their 2–0 lead.

Wessam Abou Ali’s night is done, and it's Nejc Gradisar who comes on to replace him. Fresh legs for Al Ahly as they look to claw their way back into this one.

Palmeiras make a change before the cooling break.
Abel Ferreira decides it's time to give Estevao a breather after a lively shift. The youngster makes way for Vanderlan just as players pause for a cooling break. A quick reset for both teams as the clock ticks into the final stretch.

Marwan Ateya’s persistent fouling finally catches up with him. After a late challenge that didn’t go unnoticed, referee Anthony Taylor reaches for his pocket and books the Al Ahly midfielder. That yellow card carries consequences, Ateya will now miss the next match. A costly moment for the Red Devils.

Vanderlan creates a moment out of nothing, dancing past a defender at the edge of the box with a sharp turn of pace. He pulls the trigger with a powerful strike, but it climbs just over the crossbar. A lively effort from the Palmeiras substitute as Verdão continue to press.

Worrying signs for Palmeiras as Gustavo Gómez goes down and looks to be in some discomfort. He’s clearly struggling, and the medical team is on the pitch. We’re about to find out just how serious the issue is for the Verdao skipper.

That’s a wrap. Palmeiras take the points, the weather tried its best, but Verdao held firm.

Now shift your focus to Inter Miami vs Porto, catch all the live updates here.

Bye bye for now, and see you on the next kickoff whistle.