Algeria star Baghdad Bounedjah makes AFC Champions League history with Al Shamal

Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah wrote his name into the history of the AFC Champions League after scoring Al Shamal’s first-ever goal in the competition against Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad.

The Qatar-based side faced Al-Ittihad at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor on Monday in their opening league stage fixture of the Asian club competition.

Bounedjah broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute after receiving a low pass inside the Al-Ittihad penalty area before firing a left-footed effort that took a deflection off the defence and found the net behind Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Bounedjah delivers historic first for Al Shamal

The goal marked a significant moment for both Bounedjah and Al Shamal.

It was the Qatari club’s first goal in the history of the AFC Champions League, coming in their maiden appearance in the competition.

For Bounedjah, the strike also ended a lengthy wait for a goal in Asia’s premier club competition.

The Algeria international had not scored in the AFC Champions League for almost three years, with his previous goal coming on 4 December 2023 during former club Al Sadd’s 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi.

Algerian reaches 30-goal milestone

Bounedjah’s latest effort also took his overall AFC Champions League tally to 30 goals.

The striker had previously scored 29 times in the competition for Al Sadd, beginning with the 2018 edition.

His goal against Al-Ittihad therefore brought up a landmark 30th strike in the tournament and further underlined his impact on the Asian stage.