Normally, Karim Benzema It is a guarantee of success from eleven meters. However, his failure on the third throw of the round against Al Sadd After a ‘crazy’ 3-3 at the end of extra time, he began to plot the elimination of Al Hilal in the round of 16 of the Champions of Asia.
Benzemawhich arrived at a moment of stellar form after the hat-trick and the assist in the ‘set’ against Al Kholoodstarted from the beginning as the main reference of Al Hilal…ahead of a Darwin Nunez (he was not called up) he can only play in Asian Champions. They shielded him Bono, Theo Hernández, Rúben Neves or Milinkovic-Savic.
It started much stronger Al Sadd until, before reaching the first half hour of the meeting, Theo Hernandez served a back pass from the baseline that was finished off by Milinkovic-Savic to put an advantage Al Hilal who, however, could not take advantage at half-time due to the goal of Claudinho in the 36th minute after an exquisite volley of spurs by a Romain Saiss that was passing by there.
From then on, the storm broke out. And, in a matter of 15′, Al Dawsari he again overtook Al Hilal, Rafa Mujica tied again, Mark Leonardor signed the 3-2 with a pass from Benzema and, in the 70′, Roberto Firmino He scored the final 3-3 that sent the match to extra time.
Resisted Al Sadd to force a penalty shootout where Roberto himself Firmino sent his first shot to the wood… while Neves made it 1-0. They did not fail Agustín Soria and Rafa Mújica to keep the Qatari team alive after the goal Marcos Leonardo…and they regained equality with the launch of Karim to the clouds
did not forgive Rafa Mujica for 2-3 and the shot to the post Bouabre served victory on a platter for Al Sadd which ratified Akram Afifwho else. Jug of cold water for a Al Hilal who can now dedicate efforts to focus on the final stretch of the Saudi Pro League, where they are five points behind Al Nassr…and two above one Al Ahli who will continue to defend crown in the Champions after barely surpassing Al Duhail (1-0) with a goal from Mahrez in the 117th minute after the penalty miss Tony at 105′.
