Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — In an exhilarating AFC Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 match on Thursday at Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium, Al Hilal staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Sepahan 3-1, despite being a goal down and facing a ten-man opposition.

The match, poised from the start with Al Hilal dictating the play without initially breaking through, saw Sepahan's defense holding strong against efforts from Ruben Neves and Malcom.

The game's dynamic shifted when Sepahan, against the flow of play, scored first through Ramin Rezaeian's stunning volley.

However, Al Hilal responded in the second half with goals from Malcom, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and a late finish by Abdullah Al Hamdan, overturning the deficit and securing a significant advantage heading into the second leg on February 22 in Riyadh.

The match was marked by intense moments, including a crucial VAR intervention that led to Mohammad Ghorbani's red card for Sepahan, tilting the balance further in Al Hilal's favor.

The victory sets up Al Hilal with a comfortable lead as they look forward to hosting the return leg with confidence.