Al Sadd's players celebrate a goal.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Al Sadd handed Iran’s Tractor FC their first defeat of the AFC Champions League Elite season, sealing a crucial 2-0 victory in a must-win clash at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Second-half goals from Rafa Mujica and Roberto Firmino lifted the Wolves to eighth in the standings with eight points, keeping them firmly in contention for a knockout-stage berth.
The top eight teams from the West region advance to the last 16 of the continent’s premier club competition, alongside qualifiers from the East.
Al Sadd will face Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad next week in their final league match.
Al Sadd carried their improved domestic form, having topped the Qatar Stars League with a winning spree, into Asia as they dominated Tractor, who sit third in the table with 14 points and had already secured qualification.
“The match was difficult, but we performed well, especially in the second half. We created many opportunities, scored two goals, and secured three important points,” Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini said after the match.
“We faced an opponents who had not lost in the tournament this season, and it was very important for us to achieve victory over Tractor. We have some hopes and we will hold on to them.”
Akram Afif delivered an outstanding performance, creating multiple chances and playing a decisive role in both goals.
“I thank the Al Sadd fans who supported us in this difficult match. Yes, we achieved our second victory, which is an important win and we desperately needed it. Our position in qualifying is still open, and we will try until the last match,” said Afif.
Backed by their home crowd, Al Sadd controlled possession in the opening half and pressed for an early breakthrough, with Firmino heading wide from an Afif delivery.
Goalkeeper Meshaal Barshim was then called into action, diving low to his left to block a long-range strike from Domagoj Drozdek.
Giovani went close on two occasions for the hosts, while Boualem Khoukhi’s header drifted wide. Claudinho was later denied by Tractor goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand as the deadlock remained unbroken at the interval.
Al Sadd resumed with intent, Hashim Ali firing high and wide from Afif’s corner. Barshim produced further saves to deny Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh and Drozdek in a fast-paced second half.
The breakthrough came shortly after the hour mark. Paulo Otavio crossed for Afif, who nodded the ball into the path of Mujica, and the striker made no mistake, slotting home from close range.
Tractor responded through Tibor Halilovic’s attempt, while Shoja Khalilzadeh came closest for the visitors, his low effort from distance narrowly missing the left post.
As spaces opened up, Al Sadd pushed for a second goal. Afif set up both Otavio and Hashim Ali, but the chances went begging. The Qatar star was again involved late on, finding Claudinho, whose pass released Firmino to seal the win in the 89th minute.
Al Sadd could have added to the scoreline in the closing stages but were content to celebrate a vital victory with their fans.
Al Gharafa thrashed as Al Ittihad seal last-16 spot
Later in Jeddah, Al Gharafa were overwhelmed as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad powered their way into the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 with a crushing 7-0 victory.
The emphatic win lifted Al Ittihad to 12 points, guaranteeing a top-eight finish regardless of results in the final round of League Stage matches next week.
Al Gharafa, who remain 10th on six points, still have a mathematical chance of progression but will need results elsewhere to go in their favour.
They face Iran’s Tractor FC in a must-win encounter in the final round.
