Al Duhail won 3-0 thanks to a brace from Suley Muntari while Edmilson Junior scored the other to set up an exciting showdown against 2018-19 Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd.

The Qatari side needed a single point from their trip to Tehran to book their place in the next stage, and they got exactly that. Roozbeh Cheshmi put Esteghlal in front in the 53rd minute, but Al Duhail responded within two minutes thanks to Edmilson’s maiden AFC Champions League goal.

“We worked hard in training in the build up to this match and it showed with our display on the pitch and the way we imposed our football on the opponents,” said the 43-year-old.

Esteghlal came into the Matchday Five fixture in the knowledge that only a win could keep their qualification hopes alive, and they started brightly, coming within inches of opening the scoring in the 12th minute.

South African midfielder Ayanda Patosi beat Al Duhail goalkeeper Amine Lecomte with a curled free-kick from 30 yards out. Esteghlal were, however, denied the opener as Patosi’s ball struck the upright.

Al Duhail responded from a similar set-piece through Bassam Al Rawi, but the Qatari international’s strike passed narrowly wide of the post.

The futuristic 40,000 capacity arena, which is inspired by dhow boats, is nearing completion. It was also reported that the pitch was laid in record time - nine hours and 15 minutes.

The elegant stadium will also host 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar matches through to the quarter-finals.

Ali Asad and Akram Afif scored inside the opening 15 minutes and Omar Al Somah pulled one back for Al Ahli in the second half in Doha as the hosts sealed the three points to book their place in the knock-out stage with a game to spare.

With qualification confirmed, the 2011 AFC Champions League winners can now take a breather following a busy season in which they lifted the Qatar Stars League title for the first time in six years and reached the Emir Cup semi-final just four days ahead of their win over Al Ahli.

The hosts showed their attacking intent from the start, creating their first big chance inside 60 seconds of kick-off. Akram Afif and Xavi exchanged passes down the right and the Spanish midfielder squared the ball for Baghdad Bounedjah who took it first time, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais showed quick reflexes to catch the ball.

Jesualdo Ferreira’s side looked to apply high press to regain possession deep into the opposition half. Afif was successful in doing so in the ninth minute, when he dispossessed Saeed Al Muwallad then supplied a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to Ali Asad who controlled then hit on the half-volley with his left past Al Owais for Al Sadd’s first of the night.

Xavi, who has been playing for Al Sadd since 2015, said that he will move into coaching after hanging up his boots.

Xavi, who played a record 767 times for Spanish giants Barcelona and earned 133 caps with Spain, announced his retirement plans in an open letter to the Spanish media on Thursday.