Al Hilal, a club from Saudi Arabia earned 3 points in this match after beating Al Ain, a club from UAE and defending champions scoring 5-4 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage(West Zone) at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain.
The match was filled with drama, including a hat-trick from both sides, a red card, and a late substitute appearance from Neymar Junior, which contributed to an unforgettable night of football.
Al Hilal took the early initiative when Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic set up Brazilian full-back Renan Lodi, whose low-driven shot found the bottom corner, putting the visitors ahead. However, Al Ain equalized just before halftime when Rahimi capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting home from close range after Erik Jorgenson’s inviting cross across the six-yard box.
Al Hilal’s response was immediate. In first-half injury time, a momentary lapse in Al Ain’s defense allowed Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to head home a perfectly placed cross from Joao Cancelo, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. Four minutes later, Al Dawsari extended the advantage, netting from a tight angle after a clever through ball from Milinkovic-Savic.
The second half saw Al Ain attempting to mount a comeback. Kodjo Laba’s pass found Sanabria, who made it 3-2 in the 63rd minute. However, Al Dawsari responded almost immediately with a brilliant looping effort, restoring Al Hilal’s two-goal lead.
Al Ain’s Rahimi kept his side in contention with his second goal in the 67th minute, cutting inside and firing into the net to make it 4-3. But Al Dawsari, in a man-of-the-match performance, completed his hat-trick with a powerful strike from outside the box, making it 5-3 with 15 minutes left.
In the closing stages, Al Hilal were reduced to ten men when defender Ali Al Bulayhi received a red card for an intentional handball, adding to the tension. Al Ain’s Rahimi completed his own hat-trick from the penalty spot deep into injury time, after being fouled by Khalifa Al Dawsari.
Despite the intense pressure in the dying minutes, Al Hilal held on to claim the 5-4 victory, avenging their semi-final defeat to Al Ain from last season.
The win sees Al Hilal sitting comfortably at the top of the AFC Champions League Elite group with a perfect start, while Al Ain faces an uphill battle with only one point from their first three matches.
Credit Photo : Al Hilal
