Al-Duhail 1-1 Al Sharjah, AFC Champions League 2025-26 Highlights: Spoils Shared In Doha As Race For Top 8 Intensifies

Welcome everyone. This is the start of our live blog featuring the AFC Champions League group stage match between Al-Duhail and Al-Sharjah.

In the subsequent Group B fixture in Dubai, leaders Al-Hilal, who are yet to lose a game in this competition, are going head-to-head against UAE Pro League side Shabab Al-Ahli. Follow the match right here.

Al-Duhail and Al Sharjah are currently tied 0-0 in their crucial Matchday 7 fixture at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. Both teams remain level on seven points, occupying the final two knockout spots.

A win today guarantees either side a Round of 16 berth, while a draw keeps qualification in the balance.

Al Duhail: Zakaria (GK), Al Rawi, Castelletto, Bamba, Junior, Bourigeaud, Ceara, Soumare, Al-Brake, Piatek and Boulbina

Al Sharjah: Al Hosani (GK), Pereira, Abdulrahman, Katinic, Leandrinho, Poblete, Surour, Coronado, Ben Al Arbi, Saldanha and Luanzinho

Matches: 2

Al-Duhail: 1

Al-Sharjah: 1

Draw: 0

The referee has blown the whistle and with it the round 7 match between Al-Duhail and Al-Sharjah is underway. Both the team will look to get the early lead.

It has been an even contest between the two teams in 20 minutes or so but Al-Duhail have had created better chances to score and break the deadlock.

A little nervy moment there for the hosts as Salah Zakaria fouled Luanzinho inside the Al-Duhail box - the referee had no hesitation and pointed at the spot. Igor Coronado turned the penalty inside as Zakaria sees yellow.

Al Sharjah holds a slender 1–0 lead at the break after Igor Coronado successfully converted a penalty to break the deadlock. This result, if it holds, would be massive for the visitors' qualification hopes, as both sides began the night level on seven points in the standings.

Dominant. Absolutely dominant from Al-Duhail at the moment as they are not giving anything for Sharjah to do. The hosts are supremely in control of ball - 66%-34%, despite the visitors' better expected goals rate.

Oh no. More troubles for Al Sharjah as they concede another penalty but the Video Assistant Referee is checking the on-field decision and this time it's Rafael Pereira

After Igor Coronado’s first-half penalty put the visitors ahead, Al-Duhail fought back to level the score, but neither side could find the winner needed to secure an early Round of 16 berth.

Both teams now sit on eight points, leaving the door wide open for Al-Gharafa and Al-Sadd to cause a final-day upset.