Al-Hilal players celebrate at the end of the match.

TASHKENT, Sept 30: Saudi giant Al-Hilal continued its strong start to the AFC Champions League Elite with a thrilling 3-2 win over Uzbekistan’s Nasaf, ending the host’s unbeaten home record in the competition.

The victory lifted Al-Hilal to six points at the top of the West group stage standings, pending the outcome of the other fixtures in the round.

It was Nasaf’s first defeat on home soil in 12 Champions League matches, having previously collected five wins and six draws.

Al-Hilal had opened its campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Qatar’s Al-Duhail, while Nasaf began with a 4-2 loss to Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia.

The visitors struck first in the 21st minute through Sergej Milinković-Savić, but Sandorbek Bakhramov quickly leveled for Nasaf six minutes later. Just before halftime, Theo Hernández restored Al-Hilal’s lead with a stoppage-time strike.

Javokhir Sidikov equalized for the home side in the 60th minute, only for Marcos Leonardo to seal the win for Al-Hilal in the 79th minute.

In the group’s other match, Al-Duhail claimed their first point of the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Al-Ahli. The defending champions sit second in the table with four points, two behind leaders Al-Hilal.