Al Gharafa defeated Qatar SC 4-2 in an exciting Week 16 match of the 2024-2025 Ooredoo Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Saturday.

Mohammed Muntari (first minute), Yacine Brahimi (29th minute, penalty), Seydou Sano (59th minute) and Rodrigo Machado (73rd minute) scored Al Gharafa’s goals while Qatar SC benefitted from an own goal by Matias Nani (34th minute) before Carlinhos scored for them in the (52nd minute).

As a result, Al Gharafa extended their points tally to 34 points, while Qatar SC remained on 19 points.

Al Gharafa got off to a dream start with Muntari putting them ahead within ten seconds of play, firing home a right-footed shot from the centre of the box after blocking a poor clearance attempt by goalkeeper Sataa Al Abbasi.

The goal, arguably the fastest of the season so far, gingered The Cheetahs into a more attacking mode, and they almost doubled it ten minutes later through Rodrigo, but his left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box went narrowly wide.

Despite Qatar SC's numerous attempts at restoring parity through their attacking trio of Ben Malango, Percy Tau and Jassim Al Jalabi, it was Al Gharafa who extended their lead in the 29th minute with Brahimi getting it right from the spot after Muattaz Bostami had inadvertently handled the ball in the final third, and the Algerian international wasted no time in finding the net with a right-footed shot that Al Abbasi's fully stretched hand could not handle.

A spirited and relentless Qatar SC refused to give up despite the two-goal deficit, and their determination got the expected reward in the 34th minute when they were gifted an own goal through Nani, who, in an attempt to clear a cross by Tau, mistakenly turned the ball into his own net.

The ding-dong affair continued with no more goals on either side till the first half got to an end.

The Kings went in search of an immediate equaliser on resumption of the second half and they eventually got it in the 52nd minute through Carlinhos, whose right-footed shot from outside the box, following an assist by Tau, packed enough power that goalkeeper Khalifa Ndiaye could not provide any answer to.

The equaliser, however, only lasted seven minutes as Al Gharafa once again regained their lead through Sano, who turned in a long free kick by Brahimi.

Al Gharafa continued to press hard against the away team, whose defence caved in once again in the 73rd minute with Rodrigo registering his name on the scorers' sheet from the centre of the box, assisted by Brahimi.

The two-goal lead remained till the end as Al Gharafa ensured they went away with the three maximum points at stake.