Saudi Gazette report

ABU DHABI — Lucas Pimenta scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to hand Al Wahda a dramatic 2-1 victory over 10-man Al Ittihad in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 opener at Al Nahyan Stadium on Monday.

Al Ittihad struck first against the run of play in the 21st minute when Steven Bergwijn unleashed a stunning 30-yard drive past Zayed Alhammadi after being picked out by Fabinho.

The visitors’ night, however, turned complicated when Muhannad Al Shanqiti was shown a red card following a VAR review for his foul on Facundo Kruspzky in the 37th minute.

Despite their numerical advantage, Al Wahda had to wait until the 62nd minute to equalize. Caio Canedo latched onto Omar Khrbin’s pass and rolled the ball past Predrag Rajkovic from close range.

Khrbin went close himself later, heading narrowly wide before being denied by the woodwork deep into stoppage time.

Just when it seemed both sides would share the points, Rajkovic parried Ala Zhir’s header only for Pimenta to react quickest and slot home the rebound, sparking jubilant scenes for Jose Morais’ men.

The win leaves Al Wahda in a strong position in Group A, while Al Ittihad — who saw their resistance undone by the late blow — will rue missed chances and the costly red card.