Mancini's Al-Sadd Advance Despite 4-1 Loss

Roberto Mancini's Al-Sadd advances in AFC Champions League

 Al-Sadd secures AFC Champions League last 16 spot despite heavy loss to Al Ittihad, Al-Gharafa eliminated.

“The first 20, 25 minutes were very bad for us. ⁠We conceded everything...”

Roberto Mancini's Al-Sadd secured a spot in the AFC Champions League's last 16 despite suffering a 4-1 loss to Al Ittihad in Doha. Al-Sadd's compatriots, Al-Gharafa, lost 2-0 to Tractor FC, which helped Al-Sadd clunge to eighth place in the western league phase standings.

Al-Sadd will face table-toppers Al-Hilal over two legs in early March in the next round. Al Ittihad, who finished fourth in the standings, will take on Al-Wahda from the United Arab Emirates. Al-Sadd goal scorer Rafa Mujica said, “Today was a very difficult game... We conceded everything, but we only have to think about the next game.”

𝗙𝗧 | 🇶🇦 Al Gharafa 0️⃣-2️⃣ Tractor FC 🇮🇷

Tractor FC deliver a clinical performance to take all three points on the road!#ACLElite | #GHAvTRA pic.twitter.com/4uEiDZMdjo

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) February 17, 2026

Al-Sadd is set to face top-of-the-table Al Hilal in a two-leg match in early March for the next round. Meanwhile, Al Ittihad, who finished fourth, will take on Al Wahda from the United Arab Emirates.

Defending champions Al Ahli, also from Saudi Arabia, will clash with Al-Duhail from Qatar, while Tractor meets UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli.

“Today was a very difficult game,” said Al-Sadd goal scorer Rafa Mujica. “The first 20, 25 minutes were very bad for us. ⁠We conceded everything.

“But we only have to think about the next game. We are qualified. We will see in the next game.”

Mancini's Al-Sadd were 3-0 down early, with Houssem Aouar and Youssef En-Nesyri scoring within 18 minutes, followed by a Pedro Miguel own goal. Rafa Mujica pulled one back before halftime, giving Al-Sadd some hope.

📸| Tigers celebrate with the fans👏#Alittihad_Alsadd pic.twitter.com/fkqHWbuaYo

— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) February 17, 2026

Al Ittihad sealed the win with Stephane Keller's 63rd-minute goal, making it 4-1. The Saudi side were in control, securing their second comfortable win in a row.

Al-Gharafa's chances ended when Tractor FC scored two late goals. Mehdi Hashemnejad scored in the 61st minute after a defensive mix-up, and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh sealed it with a deflected shot into the top corner, nine minutes from time.