Neftchi vs Al-Ittihad FC 1-2

Al-Ittihad FC came from behind to beat Neftchi 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite league phase at Istiqlol Stadium, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring the winner in the 90th minute. Neftchi’s lead did not last, and the visitors scored the only goal of the second half.

Neftchi went ahead in the 17th minute when Jamshid Iskanderov converted a penalty after VAR had confirmed it three minutes earlier. Al-Ittihad FC equalised in the 34th minute through Houssem Aouar, who was set up by Steven Bergwijn. The sides were level at 1-1 at half-time.

Neftchi made two changes in the 45th minute, while Al-Ittihad FC also turned to their bench twice in the 63rd minute and twice more in the 73rd minute. The winner arrived in the 90th minute, when En-Nesyri, who had come on in the 63rd minute, scored after his late introduction to seal the points at 2-1. Neftchi had a spell of pressure late on, but could not find an equaliser.

The visitors had 53% possession and 527 passes to Neftchi’s 274, while also recording more shots, 14 to 7, and more on target, 5 to 2. Neftchi did edge expected goals, 1.46 to 1.1, and won 8 corners to 4, but Al-Ittihad FC carried the greater shot volume and finished with the decisive goal. Neftchi also had 12 fouls to 7, and 3 offsides to Al-Ittihad FC’s 1.

Michel was booked for Neftchi in the 32nd minute, and Farrukh Sayfiev also went into the book in the 89th minute. Richard Ríos Montoya was shown a yellow card for Al-Ittihad FC in the 80th minute. There were no red cards.