Saudi Gazette report

QARSHI — Marcos Leonardo struck 11 minutes from time to hand Al Hilal a dramatic 3-2 victory over PFC Nasaf in Qarshi on Monday, keeping the Saudi giants perfect in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 group stage.

The Brazilian forward capitalized on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s surging run to lift the ball over goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov, sealing Al Hilal’s second consecutive win of the campaign after an opening triumph against Al Duhail.

For Nasaf, it was another painful loss to Saudi opposition after falling to defending champions Al Ahli earlier this month.

Al Hilal opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Nematov spilled Abdullah Al Hamddan’s cross straight to Milinkovic-Savic, who rolled into an empty net.

But Nasaf hit back six minutes later as Sardorbek Bakhromov unleashed a thunderbolt from distance into the top corner.

Theo Hernandez restored Al Hilal’s advantage on the stroke of halftime with a stunning solo effort, weaving past four defenders before deftly clipping over Nematov.

Yet the hosts again found a response: Umarbek Eshmurodov’s incisive pass released Javokir Sidikov, who coolly slotted past Yassine Bounou in the 60th minute.

The match looked destined for a draw until Milinkovic-Savic drove through midfield and picked out Leonardo, whose composed finish sealed all three points for Simone Inzaghi’s men.

The win leaves Al Hilal firmly in control of their group, while Nasaf’s spirited performance ended in more frustration against elite Saudi opposition.