Doha, September 30 (QNA) - Al Duhail SC and Al Ahli Saudi FC played out a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 tie on Monday.

While the stalemate meant Al Ahli equalled the tournament's unbeaten run record of 20 matches, it ended their eight-game winning run as Al Duhail earned a well-deserved point, the AFC website reported.

The reigning champions didn't have to wait long to register their first attempt on target, Matheus Goncalves with a delicate chip into the box in the eighth minute which Roger Ibanez got his head to, forcing Al Duhail goalkeeper Arthus Desmas to backtrack to tip the ball over.

Al Ahli, however, then found themselves trailing for the second game running as Matthias Jaissle's side switched off the 25th minute, allowing a goal kick to be flicked on by Krzysztof Piatek to Adil Boubina, who hit the post, but Edmilson Junior was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Al Duhail suffered a blow seven minutes later when Desmas - who was making his debut for the Qatari side - suffered a head injury after a heavy collision with Feras Albrikan, with Bautista Burke replacing him.

Burke, however, didn't have time to settle in as Al Ahli drew level on 42 minutes when Goncalves cut inside Youssef Ayman before firing a low shot to the near post which the 22-year-old got a hand to but was not enough to keep the ball out.

Things went from bad to worse for Burke four minutes later when his attempted pass out from the box went straight to Riyad Mahrez, who had the simple task of rolling the ball into an unguarded goalmouth.

Djamel Belmadi took a gamble at the start of the second half, replacing midfielder Luis Alberto with forward Almoez Ali, who partnered Piatek, and the Al Duhail head coach was rewarded just two minutes in.

Edmilson got away from Goncalves on the right flank before delivering a telling cross that was thumped into the top corner by Piatek.

Piatek should have gotten his second 10 minutes later from another Edmilson cross but despite being unmarked, could not get his volley on target while Ivan Toney had a late attempt saved by Burke as the sides settled for a share of the points. (QNA)