Wijnaldum scores late equalizer for Al-Ittihad against Al-Shamal

Georginio Wijnaldum scored a decisive stoppage-time equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw for Al-Ittihad against Qatar's Al-Shamal in their opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite.

Al-Shamal took the lead in the 63rd minute through Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah, following a cross from Mohammed Ben Ramadan. Despite Al-Ittihad's pressure and attempts by Youssef En-Nesyri, they struggled to break through Al-Shamal goalkeeper Babiker Seck until the final minutes of the match.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Steven Berghuis provided a low pass into the penalty area, which Wijnaldum converted to rescue a point for the Saudi side. This goal marks Wijnaldum's first continental goal in approximately five years, his last being for Paris Saint-Germain in November 2021.