A stoppage-time strike saw Al Gharafa make winning start to their 2026-2027 season Doha Bank Stars League campaign with a 2-1 win over Al Shahania at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.

New recruit Frank Magri scored Al Gharafa’s both goals in the 23rd and 90+2 minutes. 

Al Shahania’s equalizer was scored by Francesco Antonucci in 45+4 minute (penalty).

The Cheetahs registered their first goal as the Cameroorian forward Magri leapt high to make a fine header off a Fabricio Diaz assist from the right.

Al Shahania levelled in added time of opening half after they won a penalty, with Mohamed Surag being felled by goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar inside the box. Antonucci who stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.

The second session saw both sides attack hard and miss several chances. Al Shahania were unlucky in the 70th minute when an Antonucci push missed the target by a whisker with the ball going past the right post. 

With the game looking headed for a stalemate, Magri picked on a Florinel Coman assist in added time to move ahead past two defenders and score, much to the delight of Al Gharafa and their fans.