Late Equalizer Keeps Al-Wasl on Top in a 2-2 AFC Champions League Thriller

Match Recap

Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates hosted Al-Muharraq of Bahrain at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai on Wednesday evening, in the fourth round of Group A of the AFC Champions League 2025-2026.

Nicolás Jiménez and Adrielson scored for Al-Wasl, with Jiménez converting a late first-half penalty (45+3) and Adrielson adding a second in the 84th minute. Al-Muharraq answered through Juninho Bayounsi in the 2nd minute and Eliott Simoiz in the 49th, giving the Bahrainis a 2-0 lead before the break.

Al-Wasl pulled one back just before half-time when Jiménez converted from the spot (45+3), then pressed for equalizers in the second half. A late substitution due to injury disrupted the hosts, but they managed to level in the 84th minute when Adrielson headed home from a cross to make it 2-2.

The teams traded chances as the clock moved toward the final whistle, but neither side could break the deadlock again, and the match finished all square.

In the broader context, Al-Wasl remain on top of Group A with 10 points from four games, while Al-Muharraq sit second with seven from five. The next round will feature Esteghlal IRN vs Al-Wasl in Quds on 26 November, with the other Group A fixture noted elsewhere in the schedule.

Punchline time: If patience were a weapon, this game would be a perfectly aimed sniper—calm buildup, then one shot to seal a dramatic equalizer.\nPunchline time 2: If football ever needed a masterclass in long-range finishing, tonight delivered it—two teams, one scoreline, and a goalie who earned his coffee break at the whistle.