Al Hilal earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over PFC Nasaf in Qarshi on Monday, with Marcos Leonardo striking 11 minutes from time to settle a breathless AFC Champions League Elite clash. The forward arrived in the box to steer home the decisive goal, preserving the Saudi giants’ perfect start in the continental campaign.

In a see-saw encounter, Nasaf’s intensity and direct play repeatedly asked questions of the visitors, but Hilal’s composure and attacking depth told in the closing stages. With the match level at 2-2 heading into the final minutes, the visitors seized their moment, turning sustained pressure into points with a ruthless late finish.

The result extends Al Hilal’s strong form in Asia and reinforces their status among the favorites for the newly formatted ACL Elite. It also provides valuable momentum for the Riyadh powerhouse as they balance domestic duties with their bid for continental glory.

Nasaf can take heart from a spirited display in front of their home supporters in Qarshi, yet Al Hilal’s clinical edge proved decisive when it mattered most.