Neymar takes his first shot after a year away from the field, but the Al-Ain goalkeeper makes a crucial save, keeping the scoreline unchanged. Al-Hilal, down to ten men, continues to hold off the pressure from the opposition in the final minutes, while Al-Ain pushes for an equalizer at home.
Neymar shoots, but Al-Ain goalkeeper stands firm
At 41 minutes into the second half, Neymar, returning to action after a long recovery, took his first shot towards the goal. The star player received the ball on the left side, set it up for his right foot, and shot, but the ball went wide, just missing the right post. Al-Ain’s goalkeeper Khalid Elisa closely watched as the ball flew past. Al-Hilal fans cheered each of Neymar’s touches, bringing excitement and hope for another goal to extend their lead.
Despite the intense game and Neymar being tightly marked, his offensive presence opened new possibilities for Al-Hilal to explore counterattacks. Neymar was involved in some quick exchanges with Salem Al-Dawsari, who had already secured a hat-trick earlier in the match, and with Mitrovic, who was playing further forward. However, despite these attempts, Al-Ain managed to neutralize the moves at key moments.
Red card for Al-Bulayhi changes the course of the match
Al-Hilal, leading 5-3, saw the match take a dramatic turn in the 36th minute of the second half when defender Al-Bulayhi was sent off. He blocked an Al-Ain attack by handling the ball just outside the penalty area, stopping a clear goal-scoring opportunity. After reviewing the incident via VAR, the referee showed a straight red card, complicating Al-Hilal’s situation.
With one player down, coach Jorge Jesus had to quickly adjust the team’s tactical setup. Koulibaly and João Cancelo were put under more defensive pressure, while Salem and Neymar dropped back to help in defense. Even with a numerical disadvantage, Al-Hilal held on, using their experience to control the pace of the game and try to maintain the scoreline.
Impact of the red card and Al-Ain’s increasing pressure
Al-Bulayhi’s red card gave Al-Ain a boost, and they began to exploit the flanks, putting more pressure on Al-Hilal’s defense. Rahimi, who had scored twice in the game, led Al-Ain’s attacks, looking for opportunities to break into the box. At the 38-minute mark, he took a dangerous free kick, but Al-Hilal goalkeeper Al-Rubaie saved it comfortably.
In addition to Rahimi, Sanabria also posed a constant threat, hoping to add another goal after scoring earlier in the second half. Al-Ain’s coach, aware of the numerical advantage, made attacking substitutions, such as bringing in Erik for Fábio Cardoso, further strengthening their offensive play. However, despite the pressure, Al-Hilal’s defense continued to clear the danger.
Strategic substitutions on both sides
As the match neared its conclusion, both coaches made key tactical changes. For Al-Hilal, Mitrovic, who had been playing upfront, was replaced by Khalifah Al-Dawsari, a defender, in an attempt to strengthen the defense following Al-Bulayhi’s red card. On the other side, Al-Ain made substitutions to inject fresh energy into their attack, with Hashemi coming on to boost their offensive efforts.
These substitutions were crucial to how the game unfolded. Neymar remained a key player in creating plays, but fatigue was starting to affect the players’ pace. Al-Hilal’s team dropped back further, focusing on ball retention and frustrating Al-Ain’s attempts to score.
Salem Al-Dawsari’s hat-trick lifts Al-Hilal
Before the match was turned upside down by the red card and increasing pressure from Al-Ain, the game’s standout performer was Salem Al-Dawsari. Scoring three times, his contribution was vital in securing the 5-3 lead that Al-Hilal was now defending. His third goal came in the 29th minute, following a swift counterattack initiated by a pass from Malcom. Salem carried the ball to the edge of the box and fired a precise shot past Khalid Elisa, the Al-Ain goalkeeper.
This hat-trick further cemented Salem’s excellent form in the AFC Champions League. His ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments played a pivotal role in keeping Al-Hilal ahead, even after Al-Bulayhi’s dismissal.
Final minutes’ expectations
With 44 minutes played, Al-Ain continued to press forward, searching for a goal to get back into the game. The home side hoped to take advantage of their numerical superiority, while Al-Hilal aimed to hold onto their lead, relying on the experience of Neymar and Salem to possibly seal the game with a counterattack.
Al-Hilal remains at the top of the AFC Champions League’s West Group, and despite the challenges faced in this game, their squad’s depth and experience shone through. The big question is whether they will withstand Al-Ain’s final push and secure yet another victory in the competition.