AFC Champions League: Gomis treble puts Al-Hilal in control

Bafetimbi Gomis was Al-Hilal’s saviour as his hat-trick inspired an AFC Champions League turnaround against Al-Ahli on Tuesday.

Al-Hilal twice came from behind to claim a 4-2 away win at Al-Ahli in their AFC Champions League last-16 first leg thanks to Bafetimbi Gomis’ hat-trick.

The all-Saudi clash looked to be going in the hosts’ favour at half-time as they led 2-1 on Tuesday.

Gomis had cancelled out Omar Al Somah’s opener, but the Syria star’s strike partner Djinni restored Al-Ahli’s advantage.

However, Gomis had his second three minutes after the restart and the visitors took control.

Gomis completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute, taking his tally to seven in the competition this season, and substitute Abdullah Al-Hafith got the fourth late on to give Al-Hilal a handsome scoreline to protect in the return fixture.

Elsewhere, two Qatari sides could not be separated in their first leg, with Al-Duhail held by Al Sadd.

It could have been worse still for Al-Duhail as the visitors led through Akram Afif on the half-hour mark.

But Youssef Msakni hit back on the stroke of half-time and a goalless second half saw the first-leg spoils shared at 1-1.