Al Hilal players celebrate Malcolm's first goal against Sepahan (Getty)
Alexander Mitrovic and Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored two goals near the end to lead Al-Hilal to a 3-1 victory over its host Sepahan, Iran, which completed the match with ten players in the first leg of the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League on Thursday.
Serbian Mitrovic converted a cross from Saud Abdel Hamid in stoppage time to make the score 2-1, before substitute Al Hamdan scored the third goal with a shot from close range.
Ramin Rezaian had given the home side the lead eight minutes before the break with a wonderful shot that landed in the far corner of Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Match goals | #Saudi_Al-Hilal wins 3-1 over Iranian Sepahan in Iran in the first leg of the round of 16 of the #AFC_Champions_League #Sepahan_AlHilal #Al-Kass_Channels pic.twitter.com/6IMQHB5Gfw
- Al Kass Channels (@AlkassTVSports) February 15, 2024
Brazilian Malcom followed a rebound shot from his colleague Mitrovic in the 57th minute, equalizing.
The two teams exchanged control, and Farshad Ahmad Zadeh almost doubled the score moments before Al Hilal equalized, but goalkeeper Bono blocked his shot from a one-on-one position.
Al Hilal's control increased after Mohammed Danishkar was expelled for his violent intervention on Al Hamdan following a review by the video assistant referee in the 76th minute, before Sergej Milinkovic-Savic wasted a dangerous opportunity from close range.
Mitrovic fired a powerful shot that was blocked by Sepahan's goalkeeper, Payam Niazmand, and then the defense cleared it for a corner kick.
The return match will be held at Al Hilal Stadium, the four-time Asian champion, next Thursday.
Source: Reuters