Palmeiras net second half double to beat Al Ahly as Group A finally gets some goals

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., :Brazil’s Palmeiras scored twice in the space of 10 second-half minutes to beat Al Ahly of Egypt 2-0 in their Group A Club World Cup clash which was halted for 50 minutes because of fears over stormy weather at the MetLife Stadium on Thursday.

Ahly’s Palestine international striker Wessam Abou Ali headed into his own net trying to defend a free kick whipped in by Anibal Moreno, getting into a mix-up with his defenders to hand Palmeiras a 49th minute lead.

The first goal in the group was followed 10 minutes later by a swift counter-attack from the Brazilian club, expertly finished by Jose Manuel Lopez, who had come on at halftime.

Immediately after the second goal, English referee Anthony Taylor took the two teams off the field while spectators were told by the public address announcer to leave their seats and seek shelter under the stadium concourse because of a “severe weather threat”.

The precaution came despite no obvious signs of any storm, and after 30 minutes, spectators were told they could return to their seats. The game eventually restarted after a 50-minute delay, with Palmeiras keeping up their second-half dominance.

The first period had been evenly contested, with a surprisingly high tempo for a game kicking off at midday in 31-degree Celsius heat and 60 per cent humidity, which made it feel much hotter.

Teenage prodigy Estevao displayed the talent that has seen him secure a move to Chelsea, notably in the 18th minute when he sprinted down the right wing before cutting inside across the Ahly box but scuffed his shot wide as the Cairo club’s defence seemed mesmerised by his pace.

Ahly had drawn 0-0 with Inter Miami in the tournament opener, while Palmeiras and FC Porto both failed to score when