Needing to better the result of group leaders FC Istiklol – who lost 2-1 to AGMK FC in their match – the 2019 champions fell victim to a pair of Igor Jesus goals to find themselves second in the group and on the brink of elimination.

But they ultimately survived by virtue of the 1-1 Group C draw between Al Ahli and Al Duhail, a result which ensured Al Hilal would advance to the Round of 16 more than an hour after they completed their match.

As Groups A and C brought the thrilling group stage to a close on Friday, the West Round of 16 cast saw several of the continent's biggest club sides missing out with Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Al Duhail SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC among those who exited the tournament.

The defeats left both teams on 10 points with debutants Istiklol of Tajikistan finishing as group winners thanks to a better head to head record against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, the 2019 AFC Champions League winners.

The Abu Dhabi-based side advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best three second-placed finishers, alongside Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis, who finished as group winners after registering a 4-2 win against Qatar’s Al Rayyan.

Esteghlal went into the game looking for a win to confirm their place in the Round of 16 and duly delivered against their Iraqi opponents whose elimination had already been confirmed.

With Qatar's Al Duhail SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC playing to a 1-1 draw, Esteghlal topped the group with 11 points, two more than both their rivals.

The two sides came into the match knowing only a win would secure a place in the next stage while a draw would mean both sides would be eliminated at the group stage. With that in mind, both teams spared no effort to attack their opponents producing thrilling end-to-end action throughout the 90 minutes.

Al Nassr defeated Qatar's Al Sadd 2-1 in their final Group D match on Thursday, with goals by Abderrazak Hamdallah and Abdulelah Al Amri ensuring Menezes team finished top with 11 points as the 2020 AFC Champions League semi-finalists shrugged off their indifferent domestic form to advance to the knockout stage of the 2021 edition.