Al Shamal make AFC Champions League Elite history with victory over Al Hilal

Al Shamal secured the biggest result in their history by beating Al Hilal 3-1 at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, handing the Saudi side their first defeat of the season in the AFC Champions League Elite.

The result came on Tuesday in the third round of the league phase and marked Al Shamal’s first win in the competition, which they are appearing in for the first time.

Weslley Said put the Qatari team ahead after eight minutes. The forward controlled the opportunity inside the penalty area before striking a powerful low left-footed shot beyond Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais.

Al Hilal responded in the 32nd minute when Salem Al-Dawsari brought the visitors level. France international Theo Hernandez supplied a low pass across the face of goal, allowing Al-Dawsari to finish into an unguarded net.

Al Shamal restored their advantage three minutes after half-time. Riyad Mahrez delivered a low cross into the area and his Algeria team-mate Baghdad Bounedjah directed the ball past Al-Owais in the 48th minute.

Mahrez was involved again eight minutes later, sending a free-kick delivery into the penalty area. Tunisia midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane met the cross with a header and extended Al Shamal’s lead in the 54th minute.

The victory lifted Al Shamal to five points from their opening three matches, placing them sixth in the West group and strengthening their bid to reach the round of 16.

They had drawn their first two matches of the campaign against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad and Iranian club Tractor before claiming their historic first victory.

For Al Hilal, the defeat was their first in this season’s AFC Champions League Elite and their second loss of the campaign in all competitions.

Their previous defeat came against Neom in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League, when they were beaten 2-0.

Al Hilal remain on six points in fifth place in the West group, having recorded two wins and one defeat from their three matches.