Al Sadd closed the gap with leaders Al Gharafa to two points following their 3-1 victory in the marquee clash between the two sides in Week 14 of 2025-2026 season Doha Bank Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Saturday.

Goals from Roberto Firmino (47th minute), Giovani Henrique (55th minute) and Akram Afif (90+5 minute) helped propel The Wolves to 29 points in the standings, just behind Al Gharafa on 31 points.

Al Gharafa’s consolation goal came off the boots of Ayoub Al Oui, who pulled one back for The Cheetahs in the 65th minute with a powerful header from a cross by Amro Surag.

After a goalless first half, Al Sadd, who were recently crowned winners of the Qatar-UAE Super Cup’s Super Shield following their thrilling 3-2 defeat of Shabab Al Ahli, set the ball rolling for what ended up as an exciting win for Roberto Mancini-coached team when Firmino latched on to a cross from Giovani that somehow managed to elude all of Al Gharafa’s defenders to tap into a empty end.

Al Sadd’s second and third goals were both beautiful displays of fine teamwork that were perfectly finished to make the title race more interesting.