Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal faced unexpected turmoil as they suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor during the first leg of their Asian Champions League Elite last 16 clash on March 4, 2025. The game, held in Tashkent, saw Brazilian player Flamarion score the decisive goal, unsettling Al-Hilal and their supporters.
On the flip side of the coin, Al-Ahli exhibited dominance as they triumphed 3-1 over Qatari hosts Al-Rayyan. Galeno and Riyad Mahrez contributed to the scoring within four minutes of each other, setting Al-Ahli firmly on the path toward quarter-final qualification.
The sole goal of the Al-Hilal versus Pakhtakor game came at the 29th minute when Flamarion struck, after Brayan Riascos managed to outmuscle Ali Al-Bulayhi and provide a low cross. Flamarion's impressive touch secured the goal, which proved pivotal as the game went on.
Al-Ahli's performance was marked by flair and efficiency. Galeno, who transferred from Porto earlier this year, opened the scoring with a header from Roberto Firmino's clipped cross at the 30-minute mark. Just four minutes later, Mahrez made his mark by crashing the ball to the roof of Al-Rayyan's net after receiving the ball from Firmino, who rolled it to him during an indirect free kick.
Despite Al-Rayyan's Roger Guedes igniting hope with a curling shot from 20 meters out, which found the top corner of the goal with 19 minutes to go, the Qatari side could not recover. Guedes, who nearly equalized with another powerful attempt hitting the crossbar during added time, saw their chances dashed five minutes later when Feras Al-Brikan sealed the win for Al-Ahli, finishing off a swift counterattack led by Mahrez.
Adding to Al-Rayyan's woes, Adam Bareiro was shown red for lunging at substitute Fahad Al-Rashidi, leaving the Qatari side down to ten men as the final whistle blew.
Looking forward, Al-Hilal will host Pakhtakor at home next week, around March 11, for the return leg of their match. Both teams will seek to secure advancement to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli will entertain Al-Rayyan, aiming to solidify their dominant position.
The stakes are high, as the draw for the last eight teams will take place on March 17, providing both teams and their supporters with anticipation and excitement. The excitement doesn't end there; the quarter-finals are scheduled to occur later this month on April 25 and 26, with the semifinals slated for April 29 and 30. The climax of the competition will take place with the finals on May 3.
With high-profile matches on the horizon, both teams are eager to advance and seek glory on one of the biggest stages of Asian football. Each team holds aspirations and hopes as they gear up for their respective challenges. Will Al-Hilal rebound from this shocking loss? Can Al-Ahli maintain momentum? Football enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely as this compelling narrative continues to develop.