Al-Ittihad triumphed over Al-Wahda with a 1-0 victory in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16, thanks to a penalty scored by Fabinho in the 10th minute of added time. The match, held at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, extended to 129 minutes, showcasing a tense battle between the two teams.

Fabinho’s late penalty was the only goal of the match, which had been heading towards a penalty shootout before the decisive moment. Al-Ittihad’s goalkeeper, Predrag Rajkovic, faced minimal challenges, being tested only once throughout the game, while Al-Wahda’s Zayed Ahmed made two crucial saves to keep his team in contention.

Al-Wahda employed a compact defensive strategy, attempting to stifle Al-Ittihad’s attacking threats. Despite their efforts, Al-Ittihad managed to avenge a previous 2-1 defeat to Al-Wahda during the League Stage, marking a significant turnaround for the team.

This victory positions Al-Ittihad three games away from claiming their third AFC Champions League Elite title, having previously won the tournament in 2005 and 2006. The team aims to build on this success as they advance in the tournament.

The quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite are set to resume on April 17, 2026, with Al-Ittihad looking to maintain their momentum. In another match, Shabab Al-Ahli also progressed to the quarter-finals after defeating Tractor 3-0, indicating a competitive landscape in the tournament.

The AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 faced delays due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, adding a layer of complexity to the tournament’s schedule. As teams continue to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on the upcoming matches and the potential for further surprises.