Sardar Azmoun struck a dramatic 95th-minute winner to hand Shabab Al Ahli a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al Nasr in matchweek four of the ADNOC Pro League on Saturday.
The Iranian forward rose highest in stoppage time to meet Cartabia’s precise cross, sealing all three points and maintaining Shabab Al Ahli’s unbeaten start to their title defence.
The win moves them up to second place on 10 points, while Al Nasr suffered their first defeat of the season, dropping to sixth on seven points.
The game itself was a cagey affair, with chances few and far between in the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts threatened just before half-time when Kevin Andres cut inside and found Bernard Mensah unmarked, but the Ghanaian’s strike flew over the bar.
Mensah remained Al Nasr’s main threat after the restart, testing goalkeeper Almeqbaali with a powerful solo effort in the 54th minute, only to be denied by a superb save.
Shabab Al Ahli responded through Yuri Cesar, whose low effort from the edge of the area flashed narrowly wide in the 73rd minute.
Just when the match seemed destined for a draw, Azmoun delivered the decisive blow.
His towering header silenced the home crowd and underlined Shabab Al Ahli’s credentials as serious contenders once again this season.
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