Al-Ahli Claim First AFC Champions League Elite Win with 3-1 Victory Over Al-Wasl
Al-Ahli Saudi delivered a composed yet decisive performance in Dubai, defeating Al-Wasl 3-1 at Zabeel Stadium to secure their first victory in the AFC Champions League Elite league phase. The Monday-night football contest was full of momentum swings, heated exchanges and close calls, but the visitors made their chances count when it mattered most.
Roger Ibanez opened the scoring for Al-Ahli, Pedro Malheiro brought Al-Wasl level just before half-time, and Trincão restored the Saudi side’s advantage after the break. Substitute Firas Al-Buraikan then struck in stoppage time to confirm the result. The win gives Al-Ahli a valuable boost after their opening-round 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor, while Al-Wasl were left to reflect on missed opportunities and a difficult night in front of their home supporters.
Early Pressure Sets the Tone in Dubai
Both teams approached the second-round fixture with attacking intent, understanding the importance of collecting points early in the league phase. Al-Wasl looked to use home advantage and move the ball forward quickly, while Al-Ahli showed patience in possession and waited for openings to develop.
The match soon became an intense, physical contest. Players challenged aggressively for the ball, and tempers flared during several confrontations. Video assistant referee interventions added to the tension, especially in the first half, as both teams waited for key decisions to be reviewed. The stoppages disrupted the rhythm at times, but they also underlined how much was at stake.
Al-Ahli gradually gained control of the midfield and began to threaten with more purpose. Their breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute, when Ibanez found the net to put the visitors ahead. The goal rewarded Al-Ahli’s growing influence and gave them a platform to manage the game, although Al-Wasl continued to search for a response.
Al-Wasl Find a Late First-Half Equalizer
Al-Wasl refused to let the deficit dictate the remainder of the half. The UAE side pushed forward, worked to stretch Al-Ahli’s defensive shape and created dangerous moments of their own. Both teams came close to scoring again, with efforts striking the woodwork and adding to the sense that the match could turn on a single incident.
The equalizer came deep in first-half stoppage time. Pedro Malheiro scored in the 45+4th minute, giving Al-Wasl a timely lift just before the break. The goal changed the mood inside Zabeel Stadium and ensured the teams went into half-time level at 1-1, despite Al-Ahli having held the lead for much of the opening period.
For Al-Wasl, the late goal offered a chance to reset and build on their renewed momentum. For Al-Ahli, it was a reminder that their control of possession would need to be matched by concentration in defence. The second half therefore began with both sides still firmly in the contest.
Trincão Restores Al-Ahli’s Advantage
Al-Ahli responded effectively after the restart. Rather than allowing the equalizer to unsettle them, the visitors returned to the attacking approach that had served them well before the break. Their movement became sharper, and they looked increasingly capable of exploiting spaces behind Al-Wasl’s defensive line.
That pressure produced a second goal in the 58th minute, when Trincão put Al-Ahli back in front. The strike gave the Saudi club a 2-1 lead and shifted the challenge back onto the hosts. Al-Wasl still had time to recover, but Al-Ahli’s greater control of the match made it harder for the home side to sustain consistent attacking pressure.
The goal also highlighted an important difference between the teams: Al-Ahli were able to turn periods of possession into clear rewards. Al-Wasl continued to threaten, and the match remained open enough for another twist, but the visitors defended their advantage with increasing discipline as the clock ran down.
Al-Buraikan Seals the Result in Stoppage Time
Al-Wasl pushed forward in search of another equalizer, leaving Al-Ahli with opportunities to attack in transition. The visitors stayed alert to those openings and eventually made sure of the win in the 90+2nd minute. Substitute Firas Al-Buraikan scored the third goal, ending any remaining doubt and completing a 3-1 away victory.
Al-Buraikan’s late finish gave the result a decisive final touch, but Al-Ahli’s success was built across the full match. Ibanez’s opener provided the early advantage, Trincão’s goal restored it after the break, and the team’s composure in the closing stages helped them see out a demanding contest.
What the Result Means for Both Teams
The victory is an important step for Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite. After drawing with Pakhtakor in their opening fixture, the Saudi side now have their first win of the campaign and three points to strengthen their position in the league phase. Their ability to recover quickly after conceding just before half-time will also offer encouragement as the competition continues.
Al-Wasl, meanwhile, can take positives from their response after falling behind and from the chances they created. However, the home side will need to be more efficient in both penalty areas if they are to turn competitive performances into results. Conceding twice after the interval ultimately proved costly, particularly in a match where the hosts had shown they could trouble Al-Ahli.
Football Prediction: Al-Ahli Show Why They Can Be Contenders
One match is not enough to determine how the rest of the tournament will unfold, but Al-Ahli’s performance offered useful clues for any football prediction about their campaign. The Saudi side displayed attacking quality, resilience after a late first-half setback and the ability to finish strongly. Those traits could make them a difficult opponent as the league phase progresses.
Al-Wasl also showed that they can create pressure and compete with a well-resourced visiting team, but consistency will be crucial in their upcoming fixtures. For Al-Ahli, the immediate task is to build on this first Asian win and carry the same balance between control and attacking threat into the next round. In a match shaped by controversy, close calls and changing momentum, the visitors ultimately proved more clinical—and left Dubai with a deserved 3-1 result.
