SE Palmeiras 0-0 FC Porto | Group A
SE Palmeiras and FC Porto played out a pulsating 0-0 draw in the third game of Matchday 2 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
Despite the scoreline, the game was characterized by attacking football, with both sides creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
The Brazilian side finished the match with 17 shots, but just five on target.
Much of Palmeiras’ attacking play came through their prodigiously talented winger Estevao, who despite playing just 65 minutes won the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award.
The 18-year-old, who will be joining Chelsea FC later this year, almost opened the scoring in the 41st minute when he was released by a beautiful curling through-ball from Colombian midfielder Richard Rios. Goalkeeper Claudio Ramos parried his near-post shot out for a corner.
Minutes later both Estevao and Ramos were called back into action. A low raking cross from Estevao created the first of three clear chances for Palmeiras. Ramos parried the first two, before centre back Francisco Mora cleared a Vitor Roque shot off the line to keep Porto in the match going into the break.
Just after the interval, Porto had their best chance of the match from a corner kick. Centre-back Ze Pedro got clear from his defender but headed the outswinging corner just over the bar.
As the game entered the closing minutes, it was Palmeiras once again on the front foot. The Brazilian side were urged on by their large troop of traveling supporters.
Centre-back Murilo had the last clear chance of the game, which he headed down past the outstretched arm of Ramos, but was denied by the post.
The 0-0 draw means all teams in Group A are on one point, leaving everything to play for going into the group’s second matchday.
Quotes
“It was a balanced match, but the best chances were ours. Football is so magical that one of Porto’s best players was injured, their goalkeeper [Diogo Costa], and the best player today ended up being the substitute goalkeeper [Claudio Ramos], who made four or five incredible saves. But that’s football. We just missed the goal, everything else was there. Porto had a goalkeeper who rose to the occasion and saved everything.”
Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras’ head coach
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Estevao (SE Palmeiras)
