Youssef En-Nesyri stars on AFC Champions League debut as Al Ittihad thrash Al Gharafa

Youssef En-Nesyri’s Al Ittihad debut in the Saudi Pro League did not go well but the Moroccan showed his quality on Tuesday with a goal and an assist in his club’s 7-0 thumping of Qatari club Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite.

 

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The reigning Saudi Pro League champions confirmed qualification for the knockout stage of Asia’s premier club competition with the decisive victory. It took less than three minutes for the big-money signing from Fenerbahçe to strike with a routine finish from Muhannad Al Shanqiti’s cross.

Two other members of Ittihad’s African contingent combined to double the lead in the 20th minute when Mali international midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia set up Algerian teammate Houssem Aouar for a low finish.

Despite featuring star players like Algerian legend Yacine Brahimi and former Real Madrid striker Joselu, Al Gharafa were completely overmatched.  The second half featured even more suffering for the visitors.

It was the Moroccan striker who played the role of provider in his second goal contribution when he set up Aouar for the fifth goal after Roger and Danilo Pereira struck early in the second half.

Youssef En-Nesyri completes AFCCL debut with an assist

A cross from the right wing led to a brief game of “head tennis” in the Gharafa penalty area before En-Nesyri nodded the ball over to Aouar, who produced a powerful volley that further demoralized the opposition defense. The Algerian later completed his hat-trick by scoring the seventh goal.

استجاب للنداء من أول لقاء 🤩💛#الاتحاد_الغرافة#دوري_أبطال_آسيا_للنخبة pic.twitter.com/LVrld9VB7R

— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) February 10, 2026

Ittihad will finish up the league phase of the competition next Tuesday when they travel to face another Qatari club, Al Sadd. On Friday, they will return to Saudi Pro League action with a home clash against Fashion Sakala and Al Fayha.