Al Wahda kicked off their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a shocking 2-1 victory over Saudi champions Al Ittihad at Al Nahyan Stadium. Defender Lucas Pimenta became the hero of the night after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner that sent home fans into wild celebrations.
First-Half Drama
Al Ittihad started strong and took the lead in the 21st minute through Steven Bergwijn, who fired a spectacular strike from outside the box. The Saudi side looked in control until a turning point came in the 37th minute when Muhannad Al Shanqiti was shown a red card after a VAR review. Playing with 10 men, Al Ittihad were forced to defend deeper.
Al Wahda’s Fightback
With the advantage, Al Wahda pushed forward in the second half. Their persistence paid off in the 62nd minute when Caio Canedo equalised, calmly finishing a pass from Omar Khrbin. The goal gave the UAE side momentum as they continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Just as it seemed the game was heading for a draw, the decisive moment arrived. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Pimenta reacted quickest to a rebound inside the box and smashed the ball into the net, sealing a famous win for Al Wahda.
What the Result Means
Al Wahda begin their Group A campaign with a crucial three points, boosting their confidence for the rest of the tournament.
Al Ittihad will be left frustrated after losing both their lead and discipline, highlighting the costly impact of Al Shanqiti’s red card.
Pimenta’s late strike could go down as one of the defining moments of the AFC Champions League Elite season.
Next Steps
Al Wahda now sit at the top of their group alongside Sharjah, while Al Ittihad must regroup quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive. With more challenges ahead, both teams know that every point in the group stage will be vital.
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