Al-Shamal vs Al-Hilal 3-1: Inzaghi's rotated side suffer first ACL Elite league-stage defeat in Qatar

Al-Shamal vs Al-Hilal finished 3-1 to the Qatari side on Tuesday night at Al-Bayt Stadium, handing Simone Inzaghi's Al-Hilal their first league-stage defeat since the AFC Champions League Elite format began in 2024-25, Arab News reported. It was also Al-Shamal's first win in the competition after two draws.

The goals

Al-Shamal went ahead early through Wesley Said. Al-Dawsari, making his first start since Saudi Arabia's last World Cup group game against Cape Verde, levelled before half-time. Former Algeria striker Bounedjah restored the lead three minutes after the restart and Ben Romdhane made it 3-1 from a set piece soon after.

A rotated Al-Hilal side

Inzaghi changed most of his team for the West League Stage matchday 3 game. Mohammed Al-Owais started in goal in place of Yassine Bounou, behind a back three of Ali Lajami, Yusuf Akcicek and Moteb Al-Harbi, with Murad Hawsawi and Mohammed Kanno in midfield and Mohamed Kader Meite leading the attack. Before the match, Inzaghi had said: "Everyone will get their chance to participate and add value to the team."

The gamble did not pay off. Al-Hilal went top of the Saudi Pro League with a 3-2 win at Al-Qadsiah last week (our report), but in Asia they now trail the two clubs with perfect starts, Shabab Al-Ahli of Dubai and Al-Ain.

What comes next

• Al-Hilal vs Shabab Al-Ahli, Riyadh, 3 November: a direct meeting with one of the group leaders.
• Esteghlal vs Al-Shamal is the Qatari club's next game.

With most of the league stage still to play, one defeat is far from fatal, but the home game against Shabab Al-Ahli now carries more weight.

Why it matters here

Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis live and work in Saudi Arabia, and Al-Hilal are among the most followed clubs in the Gulf. If you send money home from the kingdom, our riyal to rupee page shows today's rate and its history, and the currency converter works out any amount.