Al-Wasl SC edged Al-Ain FC 3-2 in a thrilling United Arab Emirates ADIB Cup encounter on 20 September 2026. The home side raced into a two-goal lead, survived a determined Al-Ain comeback, and found a late winner to keep their cup campaign on track.

Match overview

Al-Wasl started brightly and took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes through Fabio Lima. They doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when Ali Saleh finished a flowing move. Al-Ain responded after the break, pulling one back through Soufiane Rahimi and then equalizing via Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba. Just as the game looked headed for a tense finish, Al-Wasl scored the decisive third goal in the 87th minute through Haris Seferovic.

Key moments

• 7' — Al-Wasl 1-0: Fabio Lima curled a left-footed shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
• 29' — Al-Wasl 2-0: Ali Saleh converted a low cross after a slick passing sequence down the right.
• 52' — Al-Ain 1-2: Soufiane Rahimi gave Al-Ain hope with a powerful header from a corner.
• 68' — Al-Ain 2-2: Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba pounced on a defensive mistake and finished clinically.
• 87' — Al-Wasl 3-2: Haris Seferovic scored the winner with a composed finish after a cut-back from the byline.

Tactical story

Al-Wasl's early dominance came from their width and quick switches of play. They stretched Al-Ain's back line and created overloads on both flanks. Al-Ain struggled to cope with the pace of Al-Wasl's wingers in the first half, but they adjusted after the break by pressing higher and winning set pieces.

Al-Ain's comeback was built on set-piece delivery and the physical presence of Rahimi and Laba. However, their push for a third goal left gaps at the back, and Al-Wasl exploited that space late on. The winning goal was a perfect example of Al-Wasl's patience and quality in the final third.

Standout players

Fabio Lima was influential throughout, scoring the opener and linking play intelligently. Ali Saleh added pace and directness, while Haris Seferovic delivered the decisive moment. For Al-Ain, Soufiane Rahimi and Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba led the fightback, but the defence could not hold out for a draw.

What the result means

The victory gives Al-Wasl valuable momentum in the ADIB Cup and reinforces their reputation as a team capable of scoring from multiple positions. Al-Ain will be frustrated after fighting back to 2-2, but their second-half display showed character. With cup progress on the line, Al-Wasl's late winner could prove a significant moment in their season, while Al-Ain must regroup quickly for their upcoming league commitments.