Al Hilal from the Saudi Pro League secured a commanding 4-1 victory against Iran's Persepolis in the AFC Champions League Elite match held at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This triumph marks their fifth win in the tournament, keeping them undefeated in Group B.
The match kicked off with Al Hilal taking an early lead in the 10th minute. Malcom showcased his skill by dribbling past Persepolis's defense and slotting the ball into the bottom corner, giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
Just 15 minutes later, Al Hilal doubled their lead. After a swift exchange of passes, Joao Cancelo found the perfect opportunity to unleash a powerful right-footed shot, securing a 2-0 scoreline.
The Saudi team continued their offensive in the first half. In the 38th minute, Malcom assisted his captain, Salem Al-Dawsari, who deftly maneuvered past the goalkeeper and scored from a tight angle, making it 3-0.
Al Hilal added a fourth goal during stoppage time before halftime. Cancelo delivered a precise cross to Al-Dawsari, who responded with a first-time shot that soared into the top corner, extending the lead to 4-0.
Persepolis managed to score a late consolation goal in the 90th minute. Issa Alekasir was fouled in the box by Ali Albulayhi, resulting in a penalty awarded by the referee after VAR review. Giorgi Gvelesiani converted the penalty, making the final score 4-1.
With this victory, Al Hilal leads Group B with 16 points from five wins and one draw, demonstrating their strong performance in the competition.
Reference(s):
Al Hilal walk over Persepolis 4-1 in AFC Champions League Elite
cgtn.com
