Saudi Gazette report

SHARJAH — Al Hilal SFC maintained their flawless run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 after clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sharjah FC on Monday.

The win saw the Saudi Pro League side extend their lead at the top of the standings to 18 points, having already secured qualification to the Round of 16 with three matches to spare.

Sharjah, meanwhile, remained on seven points despite a spirited display on home soil.

Sharjah head coach José Morais made three changes to the team that stunned defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC on Matchday Five, restoring Igor Coronado, Ousmane Camara and Caio Lucas to the starting lineup.

Al Hilal, for their part, made five changes, with Rúben Neves returning to a central midfield role.

The hosts made a confident start and nearly broke the deadlock in the sixth minute when Coronado tested goalkeeper Mohammed Al Yami with a dangerous free-kick, forcing the Al Hilal shot-stopper to tip the ball over the bar.

Al Hilal responded in the 14th minute after Neves pounced on a loose clearance and unleashed a powerful long-range effort that Adel Al Hosani could only parry into the path of Marcos Leonardo, who failed to convert from close range.

Sharjah continued to pose a threat, with Caio Lucas going close in the 28th minute after evading Yusuf Akcicek, only for Al Yami to deny him with an agile save.

Moments later, the home side thought they had taken the lead when Coronado raced onto a long ball and fired into the roof of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Al Hosani was called into action again late in the first half, first intercepting a dangerous move involving Darwin Núñez before producing a fine low save to deny Theo Hernández’s volley.

The pressure resumed after the break, with Al Yami producing two excellent saves in quick succession in the 55th minute to keep out Camara’s curling effort and Majid Surour’s powerful strike from distance.

Sharjah continued to push forward, with Caio Lucas narrowly flagged offside in the 68th minute, while at the other end Al Hilal threatened through Malcom, Hernández and Leonardo, all of whom were denied by resolute defending and goalkeeping.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 81st minute. João Cancelo surged into the penalty area and picked out Malcom, who rifled a superb finish into the top right corner to seal all three points and preserve Al Hilal’s perfect record in the competition.