FIFA Club World Cup Group A Review

In this article I'll be reviewing group A of the FIFA Club World Cup, analyzing the qualified teams, explaining the upsets and highlighting the best players. So, if for some reason you've been living in a cave without Wi-Fi or you've just woken up from a coma and missed the opening two weeks of this tournament now's your chance to get caught up. 

Group A Final Standings

Play by Play

Matchday 1

• Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami 
• Palmeiras 0-0 Porto

Matchday 2

• Palmeiras 2-0 Al Ahly 
• Porto 1-2 Inter Miami

Matchday 3

• Palmeiras 2-2 Inter Miami 
• Porto 4-4 Al Ahly

Review

In a shock twist Porto--my favorites to top the group--were eliminated after failing to win a match on American soil. Despite outscoring everyone in the group it was Porto's defense that would ultimately spell their downfall as the Portuguese team conceded 6 goals in 3 matches. Expectedly, Samu Aghehowa was one of the driving forces in the Porto attack and probably the team's best performing player, netting 2 goals in the tournament.

Al Ahly might seem like the big losers of the group, but I think they can go home with the heads held high. They only lost one of their three matches, a defeat which came against eventual group winners Palmeiras. For me, they're defensive display against Miami in the tournament opener and El Shanawy's goalkeeping heroics are some of the most memorable group stage moments in the Club World Cup. But the entertainment didn't stop there, Al Ahly treated us to perhaps the best match of the tournament so far when they faced Porto in an 8-goal thriller in New Jersey. This was a true classic, a footballing war with both sides holding no punches and producing high-octane box office soccer. The main highlight: Wessam Abou Ali playing out of his skin and scoring a magnificent hattrick. 

In 2nd place was Inter Miami who finished the group on 5 points after securing a win and 2 draws. Led by the talents of an aging golden generation, Miami scored 4 goals in the group stages including a spine-tingling Lionel Messi freekick to roll back the years. This decisive set-piece gave Miami the edge over Porto in matchday 2 and ultimately in the group. 

Finally, sitting pretty at the top is Palmeiras. For me they're an absolute dark horse. I would have never predicted them to top the group; in fact, I didn't. However, Palmeiras proved all the doubters wrong, comfortably securing a seat in the knockout round while competing against teams with international and European pedigree. As someone who doesn't watch Palmeiras regularly, I have to say I was impressed with their defense. Captain Gustavo Gomez is the foundation of this resolute defense. He demonstrated his consistency by playing every minute of the tournament, regularly registering 7/10 or above performances. This throwback defensive style is beautifully complimented by players like Richard Rios, who at 25 brings an abundance of energy and dynamism as a defensive pivot. Rios' ability to cover so much ground while protecting the back four makes him a central cog in the Palmeiras spine and another reason why this team performed so well. 

Highlight Moment: Messi's freekick goal against Porto

Picture it: Messi standing on a decisive dead ball, a little older, a little greyer, dawning different colors but still producing the same result. A result the little magician has conditioned us to expect after years of repeatedly delivering magic from set pieces. And in the 53rd minute against Porto we got to witness that magic in action again. A short little runup, followed by the cleanest of swipes to caress the ball into the top right corner. 

Close your eyes, listen to the of fans in ecstasy cheering that legendary name and it's like he never left the sunny shores of Barcelona. "MESS MESSI MESSI!!" A goal to take you back in time.