Al Ain concluded their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a spirited 2-1 comeback win against Wydad at Audi Field, marking only the third-ever clash between a Middle Eastern and Moroccan side in the competition. Despite the victory, both teams were already eliminated from Group G contention, having lost their opening two matches against heavyweights Manchester City and Juventus.
Wydad started strongly, taking the lead within five minutes through Cassius Mailula’s thunderous strike into the top corner from just inside the box. The Moroccan side nearly doubled their advantage soon after, but Oussama Zemraoui’s stretched effort from Omar Al Souma’s header drifted wide. Al Ain struggled to respond early, with Yahya Ben Khaleq heading wide in the 20th minute, while Wydad’s Ayoub Boucheta was denied by the crossbar.
The game opened up as Al Ain found their footing. Soufiane Rahimi forced a crucial save from Al Ain goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, and although Kodjo Laba’s fine finish was disallowed for offside, Al Ain leveled the score before halftime. Adis Jasic won a penalty after being fouled by Boucheta, and Laba confidently converted from 12 yards to restore parity.
The second half saw Al Ain capitalize on their momentum. Kaku delivered the decisive blow, curling a stunning shot into the top corner after a VAR review overturned a potential foul in the build-up. Despite the frenetic pace, clear chances were fewer after the break. Al Ain squandered a golden opportunity when Laba missed a simple tap-in, firing wide from close range.
Al Ain held firm to secure the victory, ending their tournament on a positive note despite earlier struggles. Wydad, disappointed with their failure to convert early dominance, finished bottom of Group G. The result highlighted Al Ain’s resilience, offering a glimpse of promise for Vladimir Ivic’s side in an otherwise challenging campaign.
