Red card for Raphael Veiga in the 36th minute marks the match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in the Club World Cup Por Luís Henrique Costa
6 min de leitura
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In an electrifying clash in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey, Palmeiras takes on Al Ahly this Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM (Brasília time). At the 36th minute of the first half, Raphael Veiga, Palmeiras’ midfielder, was sent off after a harsh tackle in midfield, leaving the Brazilian team with one player less. The match, still ongoing, is played under intense heat, with a hydration break and high-octane moments. The game, valid for the group stage, is crucial for both teams’ aspirations in the tournament. English referee Anthony Taylor oversees the officiating, while the score remains 0-0 so far.
The duel began with Palmeiras pressing Al Ahly’s ball possession, disrupting the Egyptian team’s actions. Estêvão, Palmeiras’ young star, created dangerous moves, like a shot at the 17th minute that narrowly missed the goal. However, Veiga’s red card shifted the dynamics, demanding tactical adjustments from coach Abel Ferreira. Al Ahly, led by Spanish coach José Riveiro, looks to exploit their numerical advantage.
- Key moments so far:
- 1’ – Palmeiras starts with high pressing and recovers the ball in the attacking zone.
- 17’ – Estêvão invades the box and shoots dangerously, but the ball skims past.
- 29’ – Technical break due to intense heat in New Jersey.
- 36’ – Raphael Veiga is sent off after a strong foul on Trézéguet.
- 37’ – VAR confirms the red card decision after review.
The match, held in New Jersey’s modern stadium, drew a large crowd, with Palmeiras’ fans making their presence felt. The tournament’s opening round already showcased the balance among teams, with Palmeiras among the most foul-prone, alongside Flamengo, per FIFA data.
Veiga’s expulsion shifts strategies
At the 36th minute, the game’s defining moment unfolded. Raphael Veiga, a key figure in Palmeiras’ midfield, received a straight red card for a tough challenge on Trézéguet. Visibly upset, the player gestured in disagreement as he left the pitch. The decision was reviewed by VAR, with referee Anthony Taylor upholding the red after checking the monitor. The incident sparked tension, as Palmeiras, which had been holding its own, needed to regroup swiftly.
Coach Abel Ferreira, known for his strategic approach, must now adapt to compensate for Veiga’s absence. The team, reliant on the midfielder’s creativity to link plays, faces the challenge of maintaining control with one less player. Meanwhile, Al Ahly aims to capitalize on the advantage to pressure goalkeeper Weverton.
Decisive moments in the first half
The game kicked off at a fast pace. In the first minute, Palmeiras pushed their marking forward, forcing Al Ahly errors. At the 7th minute, a Veiga free-kick caused chaos in the Egyptian box, but the referee called an offensive foul. Estêvão nearly scored at the 17th minute with a solo run, outmaneuvering defenders and shooting against the goalkeeper’s angle.
At the 24th minute, Al Ahly claimed a penalty in a clash between Abou Ali and Piquerez, but the referee deemed it shoulder-to-shoulder. A hydration break at the 29th minute, due to the heat, gave both teams a breather. After Veiga’s expulsion, Palmeiras dropped back, while Al Ahly gained more ball possession.
- Timeline of key plays:
- 7’ – Veiga takes a free-kick, Murilo heads it, but the referee calls a foul in the box.
- 17’ – Estêvão shoots dangerously after a solo run.
- 24’ – Abou Ali demands a penalty, but the referee ignores it.
- 29’ – Hydration break due to intense heat.
- 36’ – Veiga is sent off for a harsh foul on Trézéguet.
Match context in the World Cup
Palmeiras entered the second round after a draw against Porto in their opener, making a win against Al Ahly vital to advance in the group stage. The Egyptian team, current African champions, also aims to solidify their position after a strong first-round performance. The 2025 Club World Cup has already set records, with 44 goals in the opening round, surpassing the 2000 World Cup in Brazil.
The Brazilian side, fielded with Weverton, Giay, Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez, Aníbal Moreno, Ríos, Veiga, Estêvão, Facundo Torres, and Vitor Roque, showed intensity early on. Al Ahly, with El Shenawy in goal and stars like Trézéguet and Abou Ali, relies on quick transitions. The officiating, led by Anthony Taylor, has managed a physical game with several heated disputes.
Tactical challenges with one less player
With Veiga’s red card, Palmeiras faces a test of resilience. Abel Ferreira emphasized before the match the need to manage players’ energy due to the heat and limited substitutions (only five). Losing Veiga, who connects midfield to attack, requires players like Ríos and Aníbal Moreno to step up defensively. Estêvão, on the right, remains the main offensive threat.
Al Ahly, under José Riveiro, is likely to ramp up flank plays, leveraging Trézéguet and Hany. Palmeiras’ defense, anchored by Gómez and Murilo, must stay solid to avoid surprises. Up to the 39th minute, the score remains 0-0, but the numerical advantage could shift the game’s course.
Stats and trivia of the clash
Palmeiras ranks among the tournament’s most foul-heavy teams, alongside Flamengo, while Al Ahly excels in shot efficiency. Richard Ríos, the Colombian midfielder, is in the spotlight, attracting European clubs’ interest, raising expectations for his performance. The match also highlights contrasting tactical schools, with Abel Ferreira representing Portuguese style and Riveiro, Spanish.
- Match trivia:
- Palmeiras had one of the largest crowds in the first round, against Porto.
- Al Ahly is the African team with the most Club World Cup appearances.
- Estêvão, at 18, is Palmeiras’ youngest player in the tournament.
- Anthony Taylor, the referee, is known for firm calls in controversial moments.
What to expect from the rest of the game
With Palmeiras down a man, the match promises to intensify. Al Ahly is likely to press, while Palmeiras bets on counterattacks led by Estêvão and Vitor Roque. The crowd, heavily supportive, keeps cheering despite the setback. The heat in New Jersey remains a factor, demanding physical endurance from both sides.
The 2025 Club World Cup has shown balance, with thrilling games and plenty of goals. The outcome of this clash will be pivotal for Palmeiras and Al Ahly’s tournament paths. For now, the score is 0-0, and anticipation builds for an even more exciting second half.
