Doha, August 22 (QNA) - Defending champions Al Sadd began their 2026-2027 Doha Bank Stars League campaign with a 3-1 win over Al Ahli at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

Akram Afif (11th minute), Claudinho (44th minute) and Pedro Miguel (45+6 minute) scored for Al Sadd, while Erik Exposito scored for Al Ahli (80th minute penalty).

Akram opened the scoring as he coolly flicked in a perfect Pedro Miguel cross into the vacant left half of the net.

In the 35th minute, Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim saved a penalty kick from Giovani Henrique after Al Sadd's Yusuf Abdurisag was felled inside the box by Benjamin Bourigeaud.

Al Sadd doubled the lead after a counter-attack, with Claudinho scoring off a defender's ricochet after Abdurisag had broken into the striking area.

In added time of opening half, an unmarked Pedro added to the tally as he headed in an Afif cross.

In the 76th minute, a powerful Exposito shot hit Al Sadd's Tarek Salman's hand while manning near the right post. After a VAR check, the referee called for the penalty and Exposito beat a diving Meshaal Barsham to his right. (QNA)