Hosts Al Sadd’s hopes of a fightback were staved off by Al Ahli Saudi FC, who prevailed 2-1 in the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Riyad Mahrez (34th minute) and Matheus Goncalves (68th minute) scored for the winners, while Al Sadd’s only goal came from Claudinho (63rd minute).

Mahrez’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Al Sadd’s Brazilian star Claudinho, who made the most of a superb cross from Akram Afif.

Goncalves, however, responded with the winner for his team five minutes later to seal a third victory for the defending champions.

Al Sadd are still searching for their opening win having scored two draws and suffered two losses so far to be in 10th spot with two points in the 12-team West Zone.

Al Ahli Saudi are second in the table with 10 points, while Al Hilal are at the top with 12 points.

Al Sadd will next play Al Wahda FC of UAE on November 25 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.