Doha, Qatar – Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad settled for a single point in their AFC Champions League Elite opener, drawing 1–1 with their hosts, Qatar’s Al-Shamal. The match took place at Al Bayt Stadium as part of the first round of the league stage for the 2026–2027 season.
The first half ended goalless before Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah succeeded in giving Al-Shamal the lead in the 63rd minute, after receiving the ball inside the penalty area and successfully firing it into the Saudi team’s net.
هدف تاريخي لفريق الشمال في ظهوره الأول في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة
الجزائري بغداد بونجاح يفتتح التسجيل لفريق الشمال أمام الاتحاد السعودي#دوري_ابطال_اسيا_النخبة pic.twitter.com/KHG1arMtxm
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 14, 2026Al-Ittihad attempted to get back into the match during the remaining minutes, intensifying their attacking pressure in search of an equalizer, until they finally succeeded in achieving their goal during stoppage time.
The Saudi team scored the equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area that found the back of the net, resulting in a draw.
فاينالدوم يدرك التعادل لفريق الاتحاد السعودي #دوري_ابطال_اسيا_النخبة pic.twitter.com/qrObW7HLDJ
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 14, 2026Both Al-Ittihad and Al-Shamal secured one point at the start of their tournament campaigns, pending the continuation of the league stage in the upcoming rounds.
