Two second-half goals gave reigning champions Al Sadd victory over leaders Al Duhail in a heavyweight and most crucial clash of Week 16 of the 2024-2025 Ooredoo Stars League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium of Al Sadd club on Saturday.

Mostafa Mashaal (70th minute) and Rafa Mujica (90+5 minute) scored the goals for Al Sadd as they advanced to 34 points in the standings, one point behind leaders Al Duhail, who remained on 35 points.

The high-intensity match lived up to its billing as both sides gave a good account of themselves in every department of the field, ensuring the fans got good value for their money.

Al Duhail had the first good chance of the match in the 11th minute, but Michael Olunga's right-footed shot from outside the box from a brilliant pass by Almoez Ali, though quite close, narrowly missed the top right corner.

The Red Knights kept piling pressure on The Wolves with most of the opportunities falling to them, but despite their numerous adventures into the Al Sadd 18-yards, they could not penetrate the Al Sadd's line of defence as much as they would have loved.

Akram Afif had an opportunity to score for Al Sadd in the 29th minute, but his attempt at goal was safely saved by goalkeeper Salah Zakaria.

Despite several attempts on both sides, the first half ended as a goalless stalemate, leaving room for an interesting second half.

Both sides continued to battle it out in the second half in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Paulo Otavio thought he had pulled Al Sadd ahead in the 49th minute with his left-footed shot from the left side of the box sailing straight inside the net, but the goal was eventually stood down after a lengthy VAR check.

Al Duhail were reduced to 10 men three minutes later, with Ibrahima Bamba getting the marching orders for violent conduct.

Afif was caught offside in the 68th minute just prior to making an attempt at goal with only goalkeeper Zakaria to beat, but Al Sadd eventually opened the scoring two minutes later through Mashaal with a one-touch finish following a precise pass by Boualem Khoukhi.

Not relenting on their lone goal lead, Al Sadd continued to put Al Duhail under relentless pressure, forcing them to do most of the defending, especially in the dying minutes of the match.

Unsurprisingly, Mujica made it two goals up for Al Sadd in five minutes of added time, assisted by Hassan Al Haydous, to seal up the much-needed victory for his side, who are now breathing down the neck of Al Duhail.