First Foreign Star: Aouar's Hat-Trick Enshrined in Union Legends
10 February 2026
Match Highlights
Algerian forward Houssam Aouar delivered a historic performance for Ittihad Jeddah, becoming the first foreign player to score a hat-trick for the club in AFC Champions League competition history.
He struck in the 20th, 58th, and 79th minutes to power a commanding 7-0 victory over Al-Gharafa in Jeddah, ensuring Ittihad's spot in the knockout rounds regardless of the final group game.
All-Time Feats
Beyond the trio, Aouar added two goals in the competition this season, bringing his tally to five and making him the team's top scorer for the campaign.
Opta stats confirm he is the first foreign scorer to net a hat-trick for Ittihad in Asia's premier club competition and the fourth ever to do so for the club in the tournament's history.
According to Opta, Aouar also became the first player in the club to contribute four goals in a single AFC CL match since data collection began in 2013.
Punchline: If football were a bakery, Aouar just handed out a triple-layer cake—sweet enough to silence even the coach's whistle. And yes, the ball is filing for a transfer to a bigger stage, probably with a loud whistle attached.
