Doha: Al Duhail SC and Al Ahli Saudi FC played out a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 tie on Monday. The match saw Al Ahli equalling the tournament’s unbeaten run record of 20 matches, though it ended their eight-game winning streak, as Al Duhail earned a point, reported the AFC website.
According to Qatar News Agency, the reigning champions, Al Ahli, initiated the match with an early attempt on target. Matheus Goncalves executed a delicate chip into the box in the eighth minute, which Roger Ibanez headed towards the goal, prompting Al Duhail goalkeeper Arthus Desmas to make a crucial save.
Despite Al Ahli’s early efforts, they found themselves trailing in the 25th minute. A lapse in focus allowed Al Duhail to capitalize on a goal kick flicked on by Krzysztof Piatek to Adil Boubina, whose strike hit the post but was finished off on the rebound by Edmilson Junior.
Al Duhail faced a setback seven minutes later when Desmas, making his debut for the Qatari side, sustained a head injury afte
r colliding with Feras Albrikan. Bautista Burke stepped in as his replacement.
Burke’s introduction was quickly tested as Al Ahli equalized in the 42nd minute. Goncalves maneuvered past Youssef Ayman and delivered a shot that Burke managed to touch, yet it wasn’t enough to prevent the goal.
The situation worsened for Burke when a misjudged pass from him led to Riyad Mahrez scoring into an open net just four minutes later.
In the second half, Al Duhail’s head coach, Djamel Belmadi, made a strategic change by substituting midfielder Luis Alberto with forward Almoez Ali. This decision paid off quickly as Edmilson escaped Goncalves on the right and crossed to Piatek, who finished emphatically two minutes into the half.
Piatek had another opportunity to score from a similar Edmilson cross but failed to hit the target. Ivan Toney’s late attempt was saved by Burke, resulting in both teams sharing the points.