Riyad Mahrez strikes late winner for Al Ahli in AFC Champions League Elite opener

Uzbek club Nasaf Qarshi were denied a massive upset victory on Monday as Riyad Mahrez and defending champions Al Ahli Saudi came back to win 4-2 at home to begin their campaign in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Goaaaaaaal, Très beau but de Riyad Mahrez qui donne la victoire aux siens dans les ultimes instants pic.twitter.com/6UeDy0gAK6

— Chebli Ishaq (@IshaqChebli) September 15, 2025

It was a classic Mahrez strike. Receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, the Algeria national team superstar and Best Player from last season’s edition cut inside to shoot low past Nasaf Qarshi goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov.

An awful first half left last season’s Asian club champions reeling. Nasar Qarshi scored twice towards the end of the half to give themselves a shock 2-0 lead at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. However, the comeback began for Al Ahli when big money signing Enzo Millot pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. The Frenchman added the equalizer three minutes later.

The visitors attempted to hold on for a point but an extended period of stoppage time was plenty of Ahli to find their match winner through Mahrez before adding one more from Mohammed Sulaiman. It is the Mahrez’s first goal this season through six matches to go along with two assists from Ahli’s 5-1 Saudi Super Cup thrashing of Al Qadsiah.

The busy schedule continues for Mahrez and Al Ahli. They will return to Saudi Pro League action on Friday with an important early season clash at home against fellow title contenders Al Hilal. Four days later on next Tuesday, Ahli then host Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

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