Defending champions Al Sadd scored a forceful 5-1 win over Al Rayyan in Qatar Clasico, their Week 9 match of 2025-2026 season Doha Bank Stars League, at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday.

The Wolves took charge right from the start and led 2-1 at half-time.

Al Rayyan were down to 10 men in the 20th minute after Gregore was shown the red card for bringing down a charging Akram Afif with a dangerous tackle.

Roberto Firmino (11th and 55th minutes), Boualem Khoukhi (45+10 minute), Akram Afif (52nd minute) and Rafa Mujica (74th minute penalty) got the goals for Al Sadd, while Al Rayyan’s only goal was scored by Roger Guedes (37th minute penalty).

It was Al Sadd’s third win of the league and took their points tally to 11 to be in sixth place, while Al Rayyan remained on 13 points.

Mercurial Afif initiated the opening goal for his team as he took an indirect free-kick just outside the box and then struck the right post, but Firmino was at hand to make a header after the richochet.

Al Rayyan tried to comeback and got a reprieve when the referee signalled for the spot following a handball inside the box. Guedes scored to draw parity at 1-1.

But Al Sadd snatched the lead back before the half-time whistle with Khoukhi slotting home a fine Afif assist.

Afif came back after the break to produce another superb goal in his trademark style, striking from just outside the box and into the left corner of the net (3-1).

With momentum in their favour, Al Sadd hit harder with Afif combining with l Haydous and later Firmino, for the latter to score their fourth goal of the match.

Al Rayyan made matters worse for themselves when a charging Mujica was felled near the goalline and they conceded another penalty. The Spaniard gleefully scored from the spot to make it 5-1 for the winners.