The Club World Cup encounter between Palmeiras and Egypt’s Al Ahly was abruptly paused on Thursday after lightning strikes near the area. With the game progressing just beyond the 60-minute mark, Premier League regular Anthony Taylor promptly halted the match.
Players were directed to the dressing rooms while supporters were guided to shelter within MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is slated to host the upcoming World Cup final. Commentary switched back to the studios as stadium screens broadcast a severe weather warning.
The alert displayed stated: “Your attention please. For your safety, we are going to have everyone leave the Seating Bowl area and take shelter inside the stadium because of severe weather in the area.”
It continued: “Event Staff are available to guide and assist you. Those on the field, please walk calmly to the nearest tunnel, to the West Hall, or to the service corridor.”
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At the interruption, Brazilian favourites Palmeiras were already two goals ahead. An own goal by Wessam Abou Ali at 49 minutes set them on the path, which Jose Manuel Lopez strengthened with another strike just before the break, reports the Express.
The delay came shortly after, lasting 48 minutes with play resuming at 2.15pm local time in the American north-east. Palmeiras managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle, temporarily topping the group ahead of Porto’s match with Inter Miami.
Estevao Willian, who only celebrated his 18th birthday in April, was named Player of the Match for the second consecutive game, sparking renewed enthusiasm among Chelsea supporters ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge later this summer.
Weather disruptions have become a frequent and unwelcome occurrence at the revamped Club World Cup.
Organisers had to rearrange the schedule on Tuesday night when a thunderstorm delayed the kick-off of the match between Ulsan Hyundai and Mamelodi Sundowns from 6pm local time to 7.05pm.
More severe weather conditions hit on Wednesday, causing the match between RB Salzburg and Pachuca to be suspended in the 54th minute. The game did not resume for over an hour as officials had to wait for the storm to pass.
