What started as a regular Club World Cup group match quickly turned into a chaotic mix of downpours and decisive football.
At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, fans were treated to both slick Brazilian passing and an unexpected weather delay, as Palmeiras beat Egyptian giants Al Ahly 2-0 on Thursday.
A Game Interrupted by the Skies
The match was dramatically suspended just after the hour mark due to a storm warning in the area.
Officials instructed players and fans alike to seek shelter as thunderstorms loomed over the stadium.
By the 63rd minute, Palmeiras had already secured a comfortable two-goal cushion, so the delay didn’t faze them much.
This was actually the third time in this tournament that weather has thrown a wrench into proceedings.
Earlier in the week, Mamelodi Sundowns’ game was paused just before kick-off, and RB Salzburg’s clash with Pachuca suffered an almost 100-minute interruption mid-game.
Palmeiras Strike Twice After Cagey First Half
The match had been tightly contested in the first half, with Al Ahly holding their own against the Brazilians.
There was even a moment of VAR drama when English referee Anthony Taylor sent off Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga, only to reverse the red card after a closer look.
Things shifted after the break. Palmeiras broke the deadlock in the 49th minute—though in an unfortunate twist for Al Ahly, it came via a Wessam Abou Ali own goal, who accidentally nodded a free-kick into his own net.
Just 10 minutes later, Flaco Lopez coolly slotted in Palmeiras’ second, finishing off a perfectly weighted pass from Mauricio.
That quick-fire double gave the South American side a firm grip on the match before the weather halted everything.
Calm Finish After the Storm
After about 45 minutes of suspension, the match resumed—but Palmeiras played it safe.
They controlled possession and saw out the rest of the game without taking unnecessary risks, content to protect their lead.
The win lifted them to the top of Group A with four points, edging closer to the knockout stages.
The result leaves Al Ahly, Porto, and Inter Miami all level on one point, making the final group games must-watch fixtures.
Brazil Looks Sharp While Africa Searches for a Spark
With South American teams still unbeaten in this year’s Club World Cup, their strong mid-season form is clearly showing.
Palmeiras, in particular, look sharp and dangerous.
Meanwhile, African sides—including Al Ahly—have yet to make a real statement in this tournament.
The question now becomes: which of the four African clubs can go the distance?
