Al Ain maintain perfect AFC Champions League Elite start as Al Ahli beat Al Gharafa

Al Ain preserved their perfect record in the AFC Champions League Elite with a 2-1 victory over Tractor, while defending champions Al Ahli defeated Al Gharafa by the same score in the third round of the league phase.

Egypt international Ramy Rabia played the full match for Al Ain and opened the scoring in the 21st minute. His low, long-range effort found the bottom corner to give the United Arab Emirates side the lead.

The goal brought Rabia’s tally for the season to two, matching his total from the whole of the previous campaign. He also had one assist last season, meaning the 33-year-old has now equalled his previous total of three goal contributions.

Rabia has made six goal contributions for Al Ain since joining the club during the summer 2025 transfer window.

Tractor equalised in the 55th minute through Tibor Halilovic, but Al Ain restored their lead when Hossein Rahimi scored in the 70th minute.

The result leaves Al Ain top of the standings with a maximum nine points from their opening three matches. Tractor have one point and sit 12th.

Al Ahli edge Al Gharafa

Al Ahli claimed their second win of the competition by overcoming Al Gharafa 2-1.

Ivan Toney put Al Ahli ahead after only four minutes, finishing from inside the penalty area.

Florinel Coman brought Al Gharafa level in the 53rd minute with a shot from inside the box, but the Qatari side could not hold on for a point.

Matheus Goncalves settled the match in the 86th minute, scoring with a long-range effort to secure victory for Al Ahli.

The win moved Al Ahli to seven points and second place in the table. Al Gharafa remain without a point and are 15th, one place above the bottom.