Al-Hilal pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory over Nasaf Qarshi in Uzbekistan, cementing their status as early favorites in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage. The Saudi giants had to dig deep, twice surrendering their lead before finally sealing all three points in a match packed with twists, stunning goals, and late drama.
A Wild Start in Qarshi
The action at Markaziy Stadium kicked off at a frenetic pace. Al-Hilal thought they had the perfect start when Theo Hernández found the net within two minutes, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The breakthrough finally came in the 21st minute, courtesy of Sergej Milinković-Savić, who capitalized on a goalkeeping blunder to bundle the ball home and give the visitors a deserved lead.
But Nasaf Qarshi, the Uzbek Super League champions, responded in spectacular fashion. Just five minutes later, Sardorbek Bakhromov unleashed a thunderbolt from distance, leaving Al-Hilal’s star goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with no chance and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Momentum Swings and Late Heroics
Al-Hilal regained the lead just before halftime, with Theo Hernández making amends for his earlier disallowed goal by scoring in first-half stoppage time. The Saudi side went into the break 2-1 up, but Nasaf refused to back down.
The hosts equalized again in the 61st minute through Javokhir Sidikov, setting up a tense final half-hour. With both teams pushing for a winner, it was Al-Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo who finally broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, finishing off a slick move to make it 3-2.
Despite Nasaf’s late pressure and a nervy nine minutes of stoppage time, Al-Hilal held on for a crucial away win.
What This Means for the Group
With this victory, Al-Hilal sits atop their group with two wins from two matches, boasting a perfect record and a growing reputation as the team to beat in this year’s competition. Nasaf Qarshi, meanwhile, showed they can compete with Asia’s elite and will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
Key Match Stats
| Scorer | Minute | Team |
|-----------------------|----------|--------------|
| Sergej Milinković-Savić | 21' | Al-Hilal |
| Sardorbek Bakhromov | 27' | Nasaf Qarshi |
| Theo Hernández | 45+2' | Al-Hilal |
| Javokhir Sidikov | 61' | Nasaf Qarshi |
| Marcos Leonardo | 79' | Al-Hilal |
Expert Take: Al-Hilal’s Depth and Grit
Al-Hilal’s ability to grind out results—even when not at their best—continues to set them apart. Despite a challenging pitch and a determined Nasaf side, the Saudi club’s star-studded lineup found a way to win. The contributions from new signings like Theo Hernández and Marcos Leonardo underline the squad’s depth and ambition.
For Nasaf, this match was a statement of intent. Their attacking play and resilience suggest they could be dark horses as the tournament progresses.
What’s Next?
Al-Hilal will look to maintain their momentum in the next round, while Nasaf Qarshi will aim to regroup and keep their knockout hopes alive. With the group stage heating up, every point—and every goal—will count.
Sources
1. Al-Hilal dig deep to make for another win in Asia - Arab News
2. VEARN: Pay per Vote, Pay per Click, Paid To Watch Videos
3. Nasaf Qarshi vs Al-Hilal live score, H2H and lineups - Sofascore
4. Nasaf Qarshi 2-3 Al Hilal (Sep 29, 2025) Final Score - ESPN
5. Nasaf Qarshi vs Al Hilal - live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats
6. AFC Champions League Elite - MD2: PFC Nasaf (UZB) 2-3 Al Hilal ...
7. PFC Nasaf vs Al Hilal | AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26
