The first pair of matches on Matchday 3 offered two contests at once, with Wydad AC taking on Al Ain and Manchester City facing Juventus to see how Group G would close. Wydad AC and Al Ain were already eliminated and playing for pride. It was a scorching affair with temperatures eclipsing 100 degrees on the day, but the heat didn’t stop the traveling supporters of Wydad AC, who covered the Audi Field stands in red and white. On one of the hottest days of the summer, midday, on a workday, 10,785 fans filled the stadium.
Cassius Mailula was the first to strike for the Moroccan club, sending Wydad AC supporters into a frenzy. In the 4th minute, Mailula gathered the ball inside Al Ain’s 18-yard box, settled his boots, and fired a rocket past Rui Patricio.
Not long after, Al Ain started to find their form and found opportunities down the left side. Midfielder Matias Palacios received a cross from the far corner of the 18 and had a wide-open header, but it skied over the post.
Just before halftime, Al Ain was given a penalty kick after a VAR decision. Kodjo Laba stepped up to the try and converted it to draw the game 1-1.
Down from a tackle, Palacios was able to swipe the ball away to an unmarked Kaku. He stepped up and one-timed it from distance from the top of the box past Wydad’s Khalid Eisa in the 50th minute.
Laba had another chance to increase their lead over the Moroccan giants, but his shot went wide. On a beautiful counterattack, Laba controlled the ball in acres of space. With options to his right, he chose to shoot from the top of the box, with his effort going wide of the post.
In the 85th minute, Soufiane Rahimi received a long ball at the half line and sprinted into Wydad’s final third. He slowed up play to wait for reinforcements, but they weren’t moving fast enough. With pressure building, Rahimi took it upon himself to go for goal and skied his effort into the stands.
“As a team, every time you go into a tournament, you have to be committed,” said Wydad captain Nordin Amrabat. “I just want to thank everyone who came in numbers. It’s been difficult, and sorry you didn’t get your win. Now we have a chance to refocus and regroup, as well as grow and improve ourselves.”
With Group G matches complete, Al Ain can head home on a winning note with three points while Wydad AC exits with none. Man City pummeled Juventus 5-2 and took the group with all nine points. I bianconeri advance with a second-place standing with six points.
The final matches for the day and of Matchday 3 will be played simultaneously at 9:00 PM/ET. Al Hilal will take on Pachuca while Real Madrid face RB Salzburg. Both matches can be streamed for free on DAZN.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Getty Images