Al Ahli rise to top of West Zone, edge Al Gharafa out in ACL Elite

The final round of matches in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite's league stage saw Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli move up to first place in the West after a 4-2 home win against Al Gharafa, which dropped the Qatari club out of the top eight, and allowed Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor to squeeze into the last 16.

Al Ahli were penalized four minutes into the game when Matteo Dams was whistled for a hand ball in the box.

Former Real Madrid striker Joselu thumped in the ensuing spot kick to stake Al Gharafa to a quick lead.

It didn't take long for the hosts to get even. A nice long ball found Riyad Mahrez, who evaded an offside trap and set up Ivan Toney to bundle in his second attempt.

Roberto Firmino gave the home side a 2-1 edge when he slid in to score 13 minutes later.

Al Gharafa fell further behind when an error from goalkeeper Sergio Rico allowed Galeno's rising shot to go through his hands for Al Ahli's third with a minute left in the first half.

The visitors from Qatar then conceded a penalty after Jamal Hamed's foul on Toney. Mahrez stepped up and sent Rico the wrong way to notch his second goal of the evening just before the hour mark.

Yacine Brahimi then scored a second goal for Al Gharafa from the spot in the 80th minute. But it was a mere consolation as their continental campaign came to an end. The 4-2 win moved Al Ahli into top spot in the West, three points clear of Saudi rivals Al Hilal, who will play UAE club Al Wasl on Tuesday night.