In a stunning display of dominance on the continental stage, Al-Ittihad Jeddah delivered a masterclass performance, overwhelming Qatari side Al-Gharafa with a resounding 7-0 victory. This decisive match, part of the seventh round of the league stage in the Elite AFC Champions League, unfolded on Tuesday evening, cementing the Saudi club’s formidable reputation against teams from Qatar.
The offensive onslaught was spearheaded by the Algerian star Houssem Aouar, who netted a remarkable hat-trick. His efforts were complemented by a brace from Roger Fernandes, while further goals were added by Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri and Danilo Pereira, completing the historic scoreline.
A Record-Equaling Feat in Asian Competition
This emphatic triumph is now etched in the annals of the club’s history as its most significant victory in the modern era of the AFC Champions League, a format that has been in place since the 2002-2003 season. The magnitude of the win underscores a recurring pattern of success for Al-Ittihad when facing Qatari opposition in Asian tournaments.
Notably, the club had previously matched this exact 7-0 scoreline against another Qatari adversary, Umm Salal, during the 2009 AFC Champions League. Furthermore, the team’s prowess was demonstrated in the now-defunct Asian Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1999, where they secured another substantial seven-goal victory, defeating Al-Ahli of Qatar by a score of 7-1.
The consequences of this latest result are significant for the tournament standings. With this commanding win, Al-Ittihad Jeddah has bolstered its point tally to 12, securing the fifth position and, more importantly, guaranteeing its official progression to the Round of 16. In stark contrast, Al-Gharafa finds its campaign stalling, its points frozen at 6 as it occupies the tenth spot in the table.