Saudi club Al Hilal beat Shabab Al Ahli 2-0 on their own turf in Riyadh on Tuesday, ending the UAE side's unbeaten start to this season's AFC Champions League Elite campaign. Both goals came from English forward Ollie Watkins, who struck in the 6th minute and again in the 46th to seal the win for the home side.

The result lifts Al Hilal's points tally from six to nine, while Shabab Al Ahli, who had gone into the match as one of the competition's standout unbeaten teams this season, remain on nine points and suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Both clubs now sit level with Iran's Esteghlal in the West Asia group standings, while Al Ain of the UAE stay top of the region with a perfect record of four wins from four matches and 12 points.

Speaking after the match, Watkins said it had been "a tough game" but called the win important for his side, adding that he was pleased to get on the scoresheet twice. Shabab Al Ahli will now need strong results in their remaining group matches to stay among the region's top four and secure a place in the knockout stage, after seeing their unbeaten run come to an end against one of Asia's strongest sides.