March 12, 2025 (Wednesday) | King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Al-Hilal Saudi FC secured a decisive 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent in the AFC Champions League group stage on Wednesday. The match, held at Riyadh’s packed King Fahd Stadium, saw over 45,000 fans witness a dominant second-half performance by the Saudi giants.
First Half: Early Dominance by Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal started strong, controlling possession. Striker Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a powerful header from a corner. Pakhtakor struggled to counter Al-Hilal’s high press, but goalkeeper Eldorbek Suyunov made crucial saves to keep the score 1-0 at halftime.
Second Half: Drama and Red Card
The second half intensified. Al-Hilal’s new signing, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Pereira, doubled the lead in the 53rd minute with a curling shot. Pakhtakor responded in the 67th minute when captain Jaloliddin Masharipov converted a penalty after a handball. However, defender Khojiakbar Alijonov received a red card in the 75th minute for a reckless tackle, reducing Pakhtakor to 10 men. Al-Dawsari sealed the win with a penalty in the 82nd minute after a foul on Pereira.
Post-Match Reactions
Al-Hilal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, praised his team: “We stayed focused despite their comeback. The red card changed the game, but we deserved the win.” Pakhtakor’s manager, Maksim Shatskikh, criticized the refereeing: “The penalty and red card decisions were harsh. We’ll learn from this.”
Tournament Implications
With this win, Al-Hilal tops Group B with 10 points, advancing to the quarterfinals. Pakhtakor remains third, needing wins in remaining matches to qualify.
Match Statistics Table
| Statistic | Al-Hilal | Pakhtakor |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 3 | 1 |
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots (On Target) | 15 (7) | 8 (3) |
| Fouls | 12 | 18 |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
Key Moments
18’: Al-Dawsari’s header puts Al-Hilal ahead.
53’: Pereira scores a stunning curler.
67’: Masharipov converts penalty for Pakhtakor.
75’: Alijonov sent off for dangerous tackle.
82’: Al-Dawsari nets penalty to secure victory.
Fan Atmosphere
Al-Hilal fans created a vibrant atmosphere with chants and flares. A group of 200 Pakhtakor supporters traveled to Riyadh, cheering loudly despite the loss.
Looking Ahead
Al-Hilal faces Iran’s Persepolis next on March 26. Pakhtakor hosts UAE’s Al-Ain on the same day, needing a win to stay in contention.
Wednesday’s match highlighted Al-Hilal’s depth and resilience, reinforcing their status as tournament favorites. Pakhtakor’s spirited performance, even with 10 men, showed promise but leaves them with tough challenges ahead.
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