Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad

Hussein El Shahat, South African Percy Tau and Emam Ashour also scored for the record 12-time African champions in the Group C match, which was delayed by the Intercontinental Cup commitments of Ahly. Aymen Mahious had given Belouizdad a shock 21st-minute lead which they retained until first half added time when Ali levelled with a looping close-range shot. Ahly, hoping this season to become the first club to win the Champions League three times in a row, went ahead five minutes into the second half when Ali scored direct from a free kick.