EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In the opening match of the Club World Cup held at MetLife Stadium, Palmeiras and Porto battled to a 0-0 draw on Sunday night in front of 46,275 spectators, slightly over half the venue’s capacity. The match saw a determined performance from both teams as they sought to make an early mark in the tournament.
Towards the close of the first half, an opportunity arose for Palmeiras when Estevão fired a left-footed shot, which was unfortunately caught by Porto’s goalkeeper, Cláudio Ramos. The ensuing rebound attempt by Richard Ríos was effectively blocked, with Ramos making a crucial double save to maintain the stalemate.
Palmeiras qualified for the tournament as the 2021 Copa Libertadores champions, representing Brazil’s premier club, a testament to their successes in 2022 and 2023. Porto, on the other hand, secured its spot as Europe’s fifth-ranking eligible team over four years, underlining the competitive nature of the tournament.
Throughout the match, Palmeiras enjoyed a slight upper hand with a 17-11 edge in shots and controlled 55.3% of the possession. The vibrant atmosphere created by their fans, who filled a section of the stadium, showcased their unwavering support as they passionately waved flags and cheered throughout the game.
The match was characterized by its key moment right before halftime when Ramos pulled off a critical double-save, preventing Palmeiras from gaining an edge. Both teams showed resolve, demonstrating the competitive spirit emblematic of the Club World Cup.
The draw resulted in a four-way tie in Group A, following the 0-0 result between Inter Miami and Al Ahly the previous day. Looking ahead, Palmeiras is set to face 12-time African champion Al Ahly in East Rutherford on Thursday, while Porto will challenge Inter Miami in Atlanta the same day.
Reflecting on the match, Porto’s coach Martin Anselmi noted, “The first 60 minutes were short on play. We’ve had many friendlies, but playing behind closed doors isn’t the same as playing with Palmeiras. We competed very well, and we left a mark that we couldn’t give up on.” On the other side, Palmeiras’ coach Abel Ferreira expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, saying, “Porto had one or two goal opportunities; sometimes it happens, sometimes it’s not the most aggressive team that wins. I wish that we had played for the 90 minutes like the last 15. But we have competent players; we are a young team. Our attack is very young.”
Both teams will be looking to capitalize on their upcoming matches, aiming to solidify their standings within Group A of the Club World Cup.