Al Sadd edged Persepolis of Iran 1-0 in the third round (West Zone) of the 2024-2025 season AFC Champions League Elite at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium of Al Sadd club on Monday, October 21, 2024.

The successful strike for Al Sadd came from Mateus Uribe in 45+2 minute with the second win of the tournament, taking Al Sadd’s tally to seven points, while Persepolis remained on one point.

Al Sadd could have added more goals, but for some fumbles at the finish. And while Persepolis tried hard to get the equalizer, Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham stood out with some fine saves that denied the rivals.

The hosts had Persepolis under pressure right from the start and in the 17th minute, Guilherme Torres came close after an Akram Afif assist, but his kick by saved in the left corner by Persepolis goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz, who flung in time.

In the 29th minute, Afif again provided Guilherme with a fine cross, but this time the latter shot over.

Persepolis tried to hit back in the 37th minute but on this occasion Al Sadd made two back-to-back super saves. First Barsham blocked Omid Alishah’s shot in the centre and then a kick by Masoud Rigi off the rebound was kept away by Guilherme.

Al Sadd soon went up the lead in added time of the opening half and just after a Cristo Gonzalez header missed to the right. The disappointment however turned into joy soon as Afif took a corner kick.

Afif’s kick resulted in a bit of a goal-mouth melee before the ball went to a waiting Mateus, who smartly pushed it into the left corner.

Al Sadd were clearly on the upswing in the second session, but failed to find another finish despite coming close a few times.

In the 53rd minute, Afif fumbled after being in great position in front of the goal and ten minutes later Paulo Otavio failed to beat the goalkeeper.

In the 74th minute, a threatening Farshad Faraji push at the goal-mouth was kept away by Barsham, who deflected the ball using his right leg.

In the 86th minute, Afif was again in the danger with the ball, but lost his footing.

In the closing stages, Persepolis rued their luck as Alishah rattled the crossbar and Al Sadd held on to seal the win.

Al Sadd will next play Al Wasl in an away game in Dubai on November 4, while Persopolis will meet Qatar’s Al Gharafa the same day.