Sharjah were crowned EMAAR Super Cup champions after edging Shabab Al Ahli 3–2 in a dramatic, action-packed final, decided by Ousmane Camara’s second-half strike in a pulsating contest at Al Maktoum Stadium.
Camara’s goal proved decisive as Sharjah lifted the Super Cup for the third time, capping a night that delivered five goals, two penalties, VAR drama, and relentless momentum swings.
The match exploded into life inside the opening minute when Shabab Al Ahli were awarded a penalty just 47 seconds after kick-off.
Guilherme da Silva was fouled inside the box by Sharjah defender Yumin Cho, leaving the referee with no hesitation.
Federico Cartabia calmly converted from the spot, guiding his effort into the bottom corner to give the Dubai-based side an immediate lead.
Sharjah responded quickly. Eight minutes in, Ben Alarbi came close to restoring parity with a curling free-kick that forced an outstanding save from Shabab Al Ahli goalkeeper Hamad Almeqbaali.
Shabab Al Ahli nearly doubled their advantage in the 15th minute when Breno Cascardo Lemos met a cross with a powerful header, only to see the ball crash against the post.
The intensity continued as Sharjah pressed forward. Alarbi’s close-range effort was dramatically cleared off the line by Nemanja Maksimović, but following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.
Caio Lucas stepped up and showed composure, sending Almeqbaali the wrong way to level the score in the 26th minute.
Just three minutes later, Sharjah turned the game on its head.
Lucas turned provider with a perfectly weighted through ball for Luan Pereira, who cut inside before drilling a low finish into the net to make it 2–1.
The first-half drama was far from over. Shabab Al Ahli struck back in the 37th minute when Breno Cascardo Lemos finished clinically after a clever assist from Yuri Cesar, restoring parity once again in a breathless half that produced four goals.
Almeqbaali ensured the scores stayed level before the break with a superb save, denying Shaheen Abdalla’s powerful header in the 41st minute.
Seconds after the restart, Sharjah wasted a golden opportunity. Mateus Lima found himself with the goal almost empty, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
The defining moment arrived in the 78th minute. Substitute Ousmane Camara capitalised on a costly mistake from Hamad Almeqbaali, who failed to clear Yumin Cho’s through ball, before calmly slotting into an empty net to restore Sharjah’s lead.
Sharjah were reduced to ten men in the 84th minute when Shaheen Abdalla received a second yellow card, setting up a tense finale.
Shabab Al Ahli thought they had snatched a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when Bogdan Planic bundled in a rebound, but VAR intervened once more, ruling the goal out for offside and extinguishing their last hopes.
After a night of relentless action and high drama, Sharjah held firm to claim a 3–2 victory and secure the EMAAR Super Cup title, adding another chapter to their growing silverware collection.
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