1 – 4
“Houssem Aouar capitalizes on Al Sadd's frustration with a clinical right-footed finish from the penalty area”
Pivotal“Youssef En-Nesyri doubles Al Ittihad's advantage with a composed left-footed finish”
Pivotal“Pedro Miguel's own goal extends Al Ittihad's commanding lead in unfortunate fashion for Al Sadd”
“Rafa Mújica gives Al Sadd hope with a right-footed strike, assisted by Roberto Firmino”
Al Sadd
Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad produced a commanding performance to dismantle Al Sadd 4-1 in this AFC Champions League Elite clash, with the visitors taking control early and never looking back. Houssem Aouar set the tone with a clinical finish in the 10th minute after Al Sadd had an earlier goal ruled out by VAR, before Youssef En-Nesyri doubled the lead eight minutes later. Despite Pedro Miguel's unfortunate own goal extending Al Ittihad's dominance and Rafa Mújica pulling one back for the hosts, substitute George Ilenikhena sealed the victory with a goal just seconds after coming on in the 63rd minute. This emphatic away win significantly boosts Al Ittihad's Champions League campaign while leaving Al Sadd with serious questions about their defensive solidity.
How entertaining was this match?
Missed opportunity. Roberto Firmino from Al Sadd took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.
Missed opportunity! Boualem Khoukhi from Al Sadd took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right of the goal. He was assisted by Claudinho.
Rafa Mújica from Al Sadd earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Stephane Keller from Al Ittihad commits a foul.
A shot attempt is thwarted. Youssef En-Nesyri from Al Ittihad tries a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked.
Close call! Tarek Salman from Al Sadd takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it goes just wide to the right.
Shot on goal denied. Rafa Mújica of Al Sadd directed a header from the middle of the box, but Predrag Rajkovic of Al Ittihad made a save right in the center of the goal. The chance was set up by a cross from Paulo Otávio.
Missed opportunity. Roger Fernandes from Al Ittihad took a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
Missed opportunity! Danilo Pereira from Al Ittihad took a right-footed shot from close range, but it went wide to the left. The chance was set up by Mahamadou Doumbia, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.
Corner kick awarded to Al Ittihad after a deflection off Roberto Firmino.
Corner kick awarded to Al Ittihad, following a deflection off Agustín Soría.
Missed opportunity. Mario Mitaj of Al Ittihad took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the right. The attempt was set up by a cross from Muhannad Al Shanqiti.
The second half is underway with the score at Al Sadd 1, Al Ittihad 3.
The first half concludes with the scoreline reading Al Sadd 1, Al Ittihad 3.
Roger Fernandes from Al Ittihad is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Roger Fernandes of Al Ittihad is awarded a free kick on the right flank.
Missed opportunity! Pedro Miguel from Al Sadd takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails over the crossbar. He was set up by Akram Afif.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 4 minutes of stoppage time.
Missed opportunity. Akram Afif from Al Sadd took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Missed opportunity! Roberto Firmino of Al Sadd took a left-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it went wide to the left. The chance was set up by a cross from Akram Afif.
Rafa Mújica from Al Sadd is awarded a free kick on the left side of the field.
Muhannad Al Shanqiti from Al Ittihad commits a foul.
Paulo Otávio of Al Sadd earns a free kick in the opponent's half.
Stephane Keller from Al Ittihad commits a foul.
Muhannad Al Shanqiti from Al Ittihad is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Anas Abweny from Al Sadd commits a foul.
Muhannad Al Shanqiti from Al Ittihad is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
assist: Roberto Firmino
Goal! Al Sadd 1, Al Ittihad 3. Rafa Mújica scores for Al Sadd with a right-footed strike from the center of the box, finding the bottom left corner of the net. The assist came from Roberto Firmino.
Blocked attempt! Roberto Firmino of Al Sadd had a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it was successfully defended. The assist came from Akram Afif.
A shot from over 35 yards by Boualem Khoukhi of Al Sadd is stopped in the top right corner by Predrag Rajkovic of Al Ittihad. The attempt was set up by Agustín Soría.
Mahamadou Doumbia from Al Ittihad earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Mahamadou Doumbia from Al Ittihad earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Pedro Miguel of Al Sadd accidentally scored an own goal, bringing the score to Al Sadd 0, Al Ittihad 3.
Missed opportunity. Rafa Mújica from Al Sadd attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.
Missed opportunity! Hassan Kadish from Al Ittihad directed a header from the center of the box, but it went wide to the right. The chance was set up by Mahamadou Doumbia, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.
Corner kick awarded to Al Ittihad after Anas Abweny allowed the ball to go out.
The shot is deflected. Youssef En-Nesyri from Al Ittihad tries a left-footed strike from the middle of the penalty area, but it gets blocked.
A shot on goal has been blocked. Roberto Firmino of Al Sadd directed a header from the middle of the box, but Predrag Rajkovic from Al Ittihad managed to keep it out right in the center of the goal, with assistance from Anas Abweny.
Substitution for Al Sadd: Anas Abweny comes on to take the place of Giovani.
Missed opportunity. Danilo Pereira from Al Ittihad took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out.
Al Sadd is flagged for offside. Rafa Mújica has been caught in an offside position.
assist: Mahamadou Doumbia
Goal! Al Sadd 0, Al Ittihad 2. Youssef En-Nesyri scores for Al Ittihad with a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.
Roger Fernandes from Al Ittihad earns a free kick on the right flank.
Roger Fernandes from Al Ittihad is awarded a free kick on the right side of the field.
Offside call against Al Ittihad. Muhannad Al Shanqiti has been flagged for being in an offside position.
Goal! Al Sadd 0, Al Ittihad 1. Houssem Aouar scores for Al Ittihad with a right-footed strike from the middle of the penalty area.
Missed opportunity. Houssem Aouar from Al Ittihad takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes over the bar.
VAR Review: Goal Disallowed - Al Sadd 0, Al Ittihad 0.
VAR Review: Goal Disallowed - Al Sadd 0, Al Ittihad 0.
Goal! Al Sadd takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Al Ittihad. Roberto Firmino found the back of the net with a right-footed strike from the center of the penalty area, placing the ball into the bottom left corner. The assist came from Akram Afif.
Corner kick awarded to Al Ittihad, following a defensive play by Meshaal Barsham.
Blocked attempt! Roger Fernandes from Al Ittihad took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it was intercepted. The assist came from Mahamadou Doumbia.
The shot was blocked. Mahamadou Doumbia from Al Ittihad took a right-footed attempt from outside the penalty area, but Meshaal Barsham from Al Sadd made a save in the bottom right corner. The effort was set up by Houssem Aouar.
Rafa Mújica from Al Sadd commits a foul.
Fabinho from Al Ittihad earns a free kick in the opponent's half.
Al Ittihad is flagged for offside as Roger Fernandes is caught in an offside position.
Mahamadou Doumbia from Al Ittihad earns a free kick on the right side of the field.
Rafa Mújica from Al Sadd commits a foul.
The first half is underway...
The team rosters have been revealed, and the players are currently going through their warm-up routines.
