Al Sadd lost 1-3 to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in Round 3 of AFC Champions League Elite at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Goals from Yusuf Akcicek (25th minute), Kalidou Koulibaly (40th minute) and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (81st minute) secured a third successive victory for the Saudi side who now top the standings with nine points while Al Sadd, who secured their only goal through Roberto Firmino (63rd minute), are still in search of their first win in the campaign after two previous draws.

Al Sadd struggled to handle a free-kick from Santos Almeida, which allowed Koulibaly to redirect the ball into the path of Akcicek, who scored from close range to secure the opening goal.

The Qatari team was caught off guard once more in the 40th minute when Ruben Neves delivered a cross for Koulibaly, who headed the ball powerfully into the net.

In a surprising turn of events, Al Sadd managed to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute when a clever pass from Pedro Miguel found Roberto Firmino - who experienced continental success with Al Ahli Saudi FC last season - allowing him to score.

However, Al Hilal sealed the match in the 82nd minute with Milinkovic-Savic executing a magnificent free-kick that curled over the Al Sadd wall and past a diving Barsham.

Al Hilal had an opportunity to increase their advantage in stoppage time after Abdullah Al Yazidi committed a foul leading to a penalty, but Barsham saved Cesar’s penalty attempt.