Al Shamal stun Al Hilal to claim historic first AFC Champions League Elite win

Al Shamal secured a landmark 3-1 victory over Al Hilal to inflict the Saudi club’s first defeat of the season in the AFC Champions League Elite.

The Qatari side produced the result on Tuesday at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, in the third round of the competition’s league phase.

Wesley Said gave Al Shamal the lead after eight minutes with a powerful low left-footed shot from inside the penalty area. Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais was unable to keep it out.

Al Hilal recovered before half-time, with Salem Al-Dawsari equalising in the 32nd minute. French full-back Theo Hernandez delivered a low pass across the face of goal, allowing Al-Dawsari to score into an unguarded net.

Al Shamal restored their advantage three minutes after the restart. Riyad Mahrez provided the assist with a low cross, which fellow Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah turned into Al Owais’s goal in the 48th minute.

The visitors extended their lead six minutes later. Mahrez sent a cross into the area from a free-kick and Tunisia midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane headed the ball past the Al Hilal goalkeeper in the 54th minute.

The victory was the first in Al Shamal’s history in the AFC Champions League Elite, achieved in their first appearance in the competition. They had drawn their opening two matches against Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad and Iranian side Tractor.

Al Shamal moved on to five points and sixth place in the West Region standings, strengthening their hopes of reaching the round of 16.

For Al Hilal, the defeat was their first in this season’s Asian competition and their second loss of the campaign overall. Their previous defeat came against NEOM, who won 2-0 in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League.

Al Hilal remain on six points in fifth place in the West Region of the AFC Champions League Elite, having recorded two wins and one defeat.