Houssem Aouar scored a hat-trick as Al-Ittihad thrashed Al-Gharafa 7-0 in the AFC Champions League, underlining the Algerian midfielder’s influence in a commanding performance.
The victory, in the seventh round of the competition, took place at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah and showcased Aouar at his most dominant.
He started the match and played the full 90 minutes, immediately imposing his rhythm on the game.
In the 20th minute, Aouar opened the scoring, calmly converting a perfectly weighted pass from Mohamadou Doumbia, following an earlier opener from Youssef En-Nesyri.
Al-Ittihad’s control continued after the interval. In the 51st minute, Aouar provided a precise cross for Danilo Pereira to head home the fourth goal.
Just seven minutes later, he scored again himself after a slick team move, finishing with composure inside the box.
The midfielder capped off his outstanding performance in the 79th minute, netting the seventh goal to complete a historic hat-trick – the first of his professional club career. His display earned him a perfect match rating and the man of the match award.
Beyond the goals, Aouar’s contribution was evident in his all-around play. He was heavily involved in build-up situations, consistently decisive in the final third, and maintained excellent decision-making throughout.
His performance highlighted his importance to Al-Ittihad’s midfield, combining creativity, control, and balance to orchestrate the team’s dominant display.
The emphatic win secured Al-Ittihad’s place in the round of 16 with 12 points, reinforcing their ambitions in the continental competition.
Aouar’s performance also confirmed his status as a key figure in the club’s sporting project, demonstrating his ability to influence matches at the highest level and establish himself as one of the standout performers in this season’s AFC Champions League.
