Al-Hilal Tops the AFC Champions League Elite Tournament
Al-Hilal secured the top spot in the unified group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Al-Wasl on the final matchday of the West Asian zone. Meanwhile, Esteklal Tehran claimed the last knockout-stage qualification spot by defeating Al-Rayyan by the same scoreline.
In the first match, Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo (13′) and Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari (49′) found the net for Al-Hilal, propelling them to 22 points and reclaiming first place on goal difference ahead of Al-Ahli, who defeated Al-Gharafa 4-2 on Monday. Al-Wasl remained fifth with 11 points.
In the Round of 16, Al-Hilal will face eighth-placed Pakhtakor, while Al-Wasl will take on fourth-placed Al-Sadd.
Al-Wasl initially threatened Al-Hilal’s goal, with Argentine Nicolas Gimenez hitting the post from a long-range effort (4′) before Caio Canedo struck the woodwork again after receiving a pass from Gimenez (8′).
However, Al-Hilal took control and broke the deadlock when Al-Dawsari’s corner was met by Mohamed Kanno, whose header forced a save from Moroccan goalkeeper Anas Zniti, allowing Marcos Leonardo to tap in the rebound (13′).
Brazilian Caio Cesar thought he had doubled Al-Hilal’s lead with a header from a João Cancelo cross, but VAR ruled it offside (45′). However, Al-Hilal quickly secured their second goal early in the second half when Abdullah Al-Hamdan set up Al-Dawsari, who finished clinically in the 49th minute.
Esteklal Secures Final Qualification Spot
In the second match, Esteklal Tehran clinched the last remaining Round of 16 spot with a crucial 2-0 away win over Al-Rayyan.
Esteklal entered the match with six points and needed a victory to qualify. Al-Rayyan had already secured qualification thanks to Persepolis’ 0-0 draw with Al-Nassr and Al-Gharafa’s loss to Al-Ahli on Monday.
Mohammad Azadi (46′) and Ali Keshki (69′) were on target for the Iranian side, bringing their tally to nine points and moving them up to sixth place. Esteklal will now face third-placed Al-Nassr, who finished with 17 points.
Al-Rayyan, finishing seventh with eight points, will meet Al-Ahli in the knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches will be played over two legs, with the first leg taking place on March 3-4 and the return fixtures on March 10-11. The higher-ranked teams will host the second leg.
