Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabian champions Al Ahli in their opening AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ match in Jeddah at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Pakhtakor came under heavy pressure from the hosts from the opening minutes. Galeno and Ivan Toney came close to opening the scoring, but Uzbekistan goalkeeper Vladimir Nazarov made several saves to keep his team in the game.
In the 21st minute, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat set up Matheus Goncalves on the right flank, but Nazarov kept out his low shot.
Pakhtakor largely defended deep, but nearly took advantage of the space available in the 34th minute. Following a cross from Sherzod Nasrullaev, Hussein headed just wide of the post.
Al Ahli increased the pressure again before the break. In the 42nd minute, Nazarov saved a shot from Galeno, while Matheus Goncalves soon fired wide. The first half ended goalless.
Pakhtakor became more active after the break. Aymen Hussein shot wide from distance, while Bashar Rasan’s effort was blocked by Merih Demiral.
Al Ahli continued to create dangerous chances. In the 52nd minute, Demiral headed just wide after a cross from Matheus Goncalves. Eduard Spertsyan then failed to produce a dangerous effort from outside the penalty area.
Nazarov saved Pakhtakor again in the 67th minute, diving to keep out Saad Yaslam’s low shot and turning the ball behind for a corner.
Five minutes later, Al-Brikan, who had replaced Ivan Toney, had a chance to score after a cross from Eduard Spertsyan but headed wide.
Pakhtakor took the lead in the 85th minute. Substitute Flamarion started the attack and continued his run into the penalty area before receiving a through ball from Steven Chinedu. He then lifted the ball over the advancing Edouard Mendy and into the top corner.
Al Ahli avoided defeat in the third minute of stoppage time. Nazarov saved Eduard Spertsyan’s shot, but Al-Brikan reacted first to the rebound and sent the ball into the net.
As a result, Pakhtakor, who returned to the tournament after missing last season, began their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a 1-1 draw against the defending champions.
