The Saudi Al-Ahli team snatched a valuable victory from their hosts Al-Sadd with a score of 2-1, in the match that took place at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha during the fourth round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League for the elite.

The German coach Matthias Jaissle fielded an attacking lineup that included Edouard Mendy, Ali Majrashi, Roger Ibanez, Mohammed Bakr, Matteo Dams, Enzo Milot, Valentin Atangana, Franck Kessie, Riyad Mahrez, Matheus Gonsalves, and Firas Al-Buraikan, in an attempt to seize all points away from home.

In the first half, the referee canceled a goal for Al-Sadd in the 26th minute after reviewing the video technology, before Riyad Mahrez succeeded in finding the net in the 34th minute with a precise shot from inside the area, giving Al-Ahli a well-deserved lead before the break.

In a thrilling moment near the end of the first half, Al-Ahli players appealed for a penalty kick, but the referee confirmed via VAR that there was no foul, ending the first half with Al-Ahli leading 1-0 amidst objections from the players.

Al-Sadd managed to equalize through Claudio in the 63rd minute after a splendid pass from Akram Afif, restoring balance to the match, before Al-Ahli quickly responded with a brilliant goal scored by Matheus Gonsalves after an assist from Galeno in the 68th minute.

Al-Ahli's calls for a penalty in the 84th minute were renewed, but the referee again went to the video and rejected the decision, allowing Al-Ahli to maintain their lead until the final whistle, despite mutual pressure in the last minutes.

Al-Ahli raised their tally to 10 points, moving up to second place in their group standings, equal with the leaders in the battle for the top, while Al-Sadd remained in tenth place with only two points, bringing Al-Ahli a step closer to qualification in the continental tournament.