Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Al Hilal secured their second consecutive victory in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25, with a dominant 5-0 win over Al Shorta at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium on Tuesday.

Goals from Marcos Leonardo and Aleksandar Mitrovic gave the Saudi side a 2-0 lead at halftime, with Salem Al Dawsari, Nasser Al Dawsari, and Mohammed Kanno rounding off the emphatic win in the second half.

Al Hilal started strong, opening the scoring in the 11th minute when Mitrovic redirected Ruben Neves’ cross to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, whose shot was parried by Al Shorta keeper Ahmed Basil Fadhili. Leonardo was quick to pounce on the rebound and convert it.

Just four minutes later, Mitrovic doubled the lead, heading home a cross from Renan Lodi off a set-piece.

Al Shorta had a brief opportunity in the 27th minute when Ahmed Yahia delivered a cross for Boubacar Moumouni, but the latter failed to direct his header on target. The Iraqi side came close again in the 42nd minute when Hussein Ali pulled a shot wide from the top of the box.

The second half saw Al Hilal extend their lead early, with Salem Al Dawsari converting a layoff from Mitrovic just two minutes after the restart. Despite Al Shorta's efforts, including two attempts from substitute Mohanad Ali, they couldn't find the back of the net.

Al Hilal nearly scored a fourth in the 70th minute through Leonardo, but his goal was ruled offside after a VAR review. However, the Saudi side didn't have to wait long, as Joao Cancelo set up Nasser Al Dawsari for a fourth goal three minutes later. Mohammed Kanno sealed the match with a fifth goal in the closing stages.

Al Hilal will face Al Ain on Matchday Three, while Al Shorta is set to take on Pakhtakor.