Saudi Gazette report

DOHA — Al Ahli continued their impressive AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 campaign with a 3-1 comeback victory over Qatar’s Al Sadd SC at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday.

Both teams had already secured qualification to the next stage, but the win elevated Al Ahli to 19 points, guaranteeing a top-four finish in the League Stage and securing home advantage for the second leg of the Round of 16.

Al Sadd made a dream start, taking the lead within the first minute as Akram Afif latched onto Youcef Atal’s exquisite through ball and chipped Edouard Mendy from distance, catching the former Chelsea goalkeeper off his line.

However, Al Ahli, who remain unbeaten in the competition, responded swiftly in the 10th minute with a moment of brilliance.

Feras Albrikan dispossessed Boualem Khoukhi inside Al Sadd’s penalty area and delivered a cross, which Riyad Mahrez nodded back across goal for Roberto Firmino to execute a spectacular overhead kick, leaving Meshaal Barsham with no chance.

The match slowed in tempo as the first half progressed, but Al Ahli continued to press forward and took the lead in the 39th minute when Roger Ibanez reacted quickly to a Mahrez corner, firing home from close range after Al Sadd failed to clear their lines.

Early in the second half, Firmino had an opportunity to double his tally after Mahrez set him up with a cutback, but the Brazilian’s effort rolled wide from the edge of the box.

Al Ahli continued to create chances, with Guilherme Torres blocking a goal-bound attempt from Ziyad Aljohani in the 67th minute, while Gabriel Veiga saw his shot fly over the bar moments later.

The visitors sealed their victory in the 81st minute when Ivan Toney, despite being fouled by Barsham, managed to hook the ball to Mahrez, who calmly slotted it into an open net.

Al Ahli will look to conclude their League Stage campaign on a high when they take on Al Gharafa SC, while Al Sadd will travel to Uzbekistan to face Pakhtakor in their final fixture.