Al-Hilal hit six past Mumbai City FC as Aleksander Mitrovic scores hat-trick | AFC Champions League 2023-24

Mumbai City FC suffered a resounding 6-0 defeat to Al-Hilal SFC in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League group stage clash at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

As anticipated, Al-Hilal started the game on the front foot, controlling possession and suffocating the visitors when they had the ball. Their early dominance paid dividends, as they scored the opening goal of the game in the fifth minute.

Lallianzuala Chhangte was guilty of losing the ball in midfield, and following a well-worked move, Mohammed Al-Burayk set up Aleksandar Mitrovic, who had a simple tap-in to make it 1-0.

The Saudi Arabian giants maintained their dominance, and Mitrovic had a couple more excellent goal-scoring opportunities, forcing Phurba Lachenpa into action. Salem Al-Dawsari also managed to find the back of the net, but VAR intervened to disallow the goal, as the ball had crossed the line before his strike.

Following a lackluster opening quarter, Mumbai City gradually found their rhythm and had the first clear-cut chance around the half-hour mark. Greg Stewart’s free-kick found Apuia’s run, but his attempt was superbly saved by Mohammed Al-Owais.

As the half-time whistle blew, Al-Hilal were in control of the game, but the Islanders displayed resilience and remained competitive, trailing the hosts by a slender 1-0 margin.

Al-Hilal unleash their dominance in the second half, score six past Mumbai City FC

The beginning of the second half resembled the first, as Al-Hilal retained control of the ball. However, Mumbai City seemed to have minimized their defensive mistakes and somehow remained in the game.

Al-Hilal had half-chances in the first fifteen minutes of the second period, but it was the Islanders who had a significant scoring opportunity around the hour mark. Stewart’s set-piece delivery found an unmarked Rostyn Griffiths, who missed his header from six yards out.

The Blue Waves capitalized on the missed chance and scored their second goal of the game in the 67th minute. Once more, the partnership between Al-Burayk and Mitrovic proved effective, as the full-back delivered a precise cross that met the striker's head. The Serbian managed to out-muscle Tiri and directed his header into the back of the net.

The third goal arrived shortly thereafter, and this time, it was the other full-back, Saud Abdulhamid, who played a pivotal role. His precise cross found Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, who netted a powerful header to ultimately put the game to bed.

As the Islanders crumbled, Al-Hilal extended their lead to four goals with ten minutes left. Mitrovic, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, added a remarkable touch to his performance by netting a stunning overhead kick and completing a perfect hat-trick.

Al-Hilal continued to press their advantage, with Mitrovic returning the favor to Al-Burayk, who netted his first goal and the team’s fifth goal of the evening. Substitute Abdulelah Al-Malki made it 6-0 in stoppage time to complete the rout.

The game was certainly a harsh lesson for the Islanders against one of Asia’s best teams. They remain bottom of Group D, while Al-Hilal sit comfortably at the top with seven points to their name.