Mitrovic helps Al-Hilal stay perfect in Champions League but Neymar injured

HONG KONG : Al-Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic got a hat-trick as they continued their perfect start to the Asian Champions League Elite on Monday with a 3-0 win over Iran's Esteghlal, although the Saudi side's evening was soured by a late injury to Neymar.

Al-Ahli's Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez ensured it was a positive evening for Saudi Pro League sides in the recently revamped continental competition with both netting twice in a 5-1 thrashing of Iraq's Al-Shorta in Jeddah.

Iran's Persepolis drew 1-1 with Al-Gharafa from Qatar and Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates also shared a 1-1 draw with Qatari outfit Al-Sadd.

Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli have now won all four of their games in the league phase of the competition so far and opened up a four-point gap over third-placed Al-Sadd with fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr a further point back in fourth.

Cristiano Ronaldo's side meet holders Al-Ain on Tuesday when Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor take on Al-Rayyan of Qatar.

The first eight finishers in the 12-team league phase in both west and east Asia will advance to the knockout rounds, which will be played in March.

Mitrovic put Al-Hilal ahead at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena with a 15th minute tap-in and doubled the advantage with another straightforward finish in the 33rd minute.

The former Fulham striker completed his hat-trick with a 74th minute header into the bottom corner from Joao Cancelo's cross from the right.

The evening ended on a sour note for Al-Hilal when Neymar, who returned two weeks ago from a year out due to a ruptured cruciate ligament, was replaced 29 minutes after his introduction from the bench due to injury.

In Jeddah, Firmino opened the scoring when he headed in Ziyad Al-Johani's 14th minute cross but, after Franck Kessie