Al Sadd players celebrate their victory.
Doha: Substitute Adam Ounas converted a last-minute penalty as Qatar’s Al Sadd defeated Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr 2-1 in a dramatic Riyadh showdown, securing their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite knockout stage.
Al Sadd captain Akram Afif celebrates after scoring team's first goal.
Despite the absence of talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo, already-qualified Al Nassr dominated possession but Al Sadd put in a valiant performance to claim a memorable victory.
Al Sadd captain Akram Afif broke the deadlock with a brilliant solo effort in the 53rd minute but Romain Saiss’ own goal in the 80th minute pulled Stefano Pioli’s Al Nassr level.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Afif was fouled by Mohammed Al Fatil, awarding Al Sadd a penalty. Ounas stepped up to clinically convert the spot-kick in the 90+9 minute, sealing the win for the visitors.
Al Sadd's Adam Ounas celebrates after scoring the winner.
Felix Sanchez’s Al Sadd, unbeaten in the competition so far, moved into fourth place with 12 points from six matches. They became the first Qatari side from the West Zone to advance to the Round of 16. They now trail Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr by one point and are four behind leaders Al Ahli Saudi FC, whom they will host on February 3, 2025.
"It's an important victory for us and I want to congratulate my players and fans," Sanchez said after the victory.
"We played a great away match and claimed three points that took us to the Round of 16."
Al Nassr dominated possession in a cautious start at Al Awwal Park but Al Sadd had the first golden opportunity in the 17th minute. Cristo Gonzalez, one-on-one with Bento, failed to beat the Al Nassr goalkeeper.
The hosts responded quickly with Talisca – who had earlier shot over the bar – hitting the right post after an assist from Sadio Mane.
The action intensified around the half-hour mark as Al Nassr’s Angelo and Afif both came close to breaking the deadlock.
Despite mounting pressure, Al Nassr went into the break goalless with efforts from Ali Lajami and Talisca thwarted by Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.
Gonzalez found space early in the second half but again squandered a good chance firing wide from a promising position.
Moments later, Afif produced a moment of brilliance controlling a lob from Gonzalez near the halfway line before sprinting past Al Nassr defenders and calmly slotting the ball past Bento into the bottom right corner from the center of the box.
Al Nassr pushed hard for an equaliser but Barsham was again on hand to deny Aymeric Laporte’s powerful header. Mane then struck the post as the hosts increased their pressure.
The Al Sadd goalkeeper thwarted Angelo’s angled shot but Al Nassr eventually leveled in dramatic fashion. Saiss, attempting to clear a cross from the left, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net sending the home crowd into frenzy.
With the momentum on their side, Al Nassr pressed for a winner but it was Al Sadd who had the final say.
Afif won a penalty after being brought down by Al Fatil and Ounas, who came off the bench in 66th minute, stepped up to coolly convert, sealing a memorable victory for the Qatari side.
