Al Hilal continues their flawless journey in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite with a commanding 3-0 victory over Iran's Esteghlal on Monday. Despite the Saudi Arabian club facing a setback with Neymar's late injury, the team's performance remained unshaken.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was the star of the night, scoring a remarkable hat-trick to secure the win for Al Hilal. His goals in the 15th, 33rd, and 74th minutes showcased his prowess as a former Fulham striker.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli delivered a stellar performance in Jeddah, overwhelming Iraq's Al Shorta with a 5-1 triumph. Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez led the charge, each netting two goals to ensure a positive outcome for the Saudi Pro League side in the revamped continental competition.
Iran's Persepolis and Qatar's Al Gharafa ended their match in a 1-1 draw, while Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates also secured a 1-1 tie against Qatar's Al Sadd.
With both Al Hilal and Al Ahli winning all four of their league phase matches, they now hold a four-point lead over third-placed Al Sadd. Al-Nassr, another Saudi Pro League team, is trailing closely in fourth place.
Looking ahead, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr are set to face titleholders Al Ain on Tuesday, while Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor will take on Qatar's Al Rayyan. The top eight teams from the 12-team league phase across west and east Asia will move forward to the knockout rounds scheduled for March.
The evening saw a mix of triumphs and challenges, with Neymar's return marred by an injury after just 29 minutes on the pitch. However, Al Hilal's unwavering performance ensures their top position remains secure as the competition progresses.
Reference(s):
Al Hilal stay perfect in AFC Champions League despite injury to Neymar
cgtn.com
