Brilliant Ighalo leads Al-Hilal closer to knockout stages of AFC Champions League

The Nigerian goal poacher helped his side continue with their impressive form as they look to retain the Champions League title

Super Eagles striker scored a brace to help his Al-Hilal side to a sound 3-0 victory against Tajikistan side Istiqlol Dushanbe.

The Blue Eagles traveled to the Tajikistan champions for the second leg of their Asian Champions League doubleheader. Al-Hilal were overwhelming favorites in the first leg, but surprisingly they won via a lone goal from Salman Al Faraj. However, they showed champions stuff in the second leg.

Ighalo started the scoring very early, as his well-placed header in the eighth minute put the Blue Eagles in front.

Ighalo then doubled his side’s lead in the 33rd minute after placing a brilliant finish past Rustam Yatimov in the Istiqlol Dushanbe goal.

The Asian champions held on to their two-goal lead till the dying embers of the game when substitute Salem Al Dawsari scored the third goal to wrap up a brilliant Al-Hilal performance.

The victory means that the Saudi Arabian side needs one point from their remaining two games.