Palmeiras vs Al Ahly Clash Suspended Due to Weather Warning in Club World Cup

A highly anticipated match in the prestigious Club World Cup was suspended just minutes away from being decided due to inclement weather. Palmeiras, the Brazilian side leading 2-0 against Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, had its players and fans asked to "take shelter" as a nearby storm warning took precedence.

In a stunning turn of events, goalkeeper Wessam Abou Ali scored an own goal in the 49th minute, halving the deficit for Al Ahly. Brazilian midfielder Flaco Lopez sealed the lead for Palmeiras with a well-weighted double in the 59th minute, but the match was abandoned due to safety concerns.

This marks the third match at the tournament to be suspended recently, as the US weather protocols took precedence over sports. Last Tuesday, Mamelodi Sundowns' game against Ulsan HD was halted just before kick-off for over an hour due to a weather alert. Similarly, on Wednesday, RB Salzburg's match against Pachuca was put on hold in the second half for 97 minutes due to heavy storms.

The safety of players and spectators remains the top priority in such situations, with common public safety protocols mandating that outdoor sports events be suspended for at least 30 minutes when lightning is spotted or thunder heard.