In what was considered a Central Asian derby, the back-and-forth encounter at the King Fahd International Stadium saw Istiklol take the lead heading into the break after AGMK’s Jovan Djokic conceded an own goal in added time, with Dzhalilov doubling their advantage in the 55th minute with a fine header.

AGMK quickly bounced back with Zafar Polvonov reducing the deficit two minutes later, only for Muhammadjon Rahimov to reclaim Istiklol’s two-goal lead by the 80th minute. Polvonov scored his second goal of the night in the final minute, but it only served as a consolation as Istiklol walked away with all three points.

A Jovan Đokić own goal and a Manuchehr Dzhalilov strike had the Tajik champions 2-0 up in the match billed as the Central Asian derby, before AMGK pulled a goal back through Zafar Polvonov just before the hour mark. Muhammadjon Rahimov sealed the points for Istiklol with 10 minutes remaining, but only after they survived the nervous finale that followed Polvonov's second in the 90th minute.

The win, a first for any club from Tajikistan in Asia’s premier competition, puts Istiklol second in the group, giving them the chance to go clear on top with a win against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC on Wednesday.

Bafétimbi Gomis and André Carrillo gave the 2019 AFC Champions League winners a two-goal cushion at half-time in an impressive win for the Saudi Arabia side.

The win was Al Hilal's first of the campaign after being held 2-2 by AGMK FC of Uzbekistan on Matchday One while Shabab Al Ahli's search of a first triumph continues after having opened with a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan's FC Istiklol.

The home side had lost their opening Group C match against Esteghlal by a huge scoreline while their Qatari opponents took all three points against Iraqi side Al Shorta. The two sides had to settle for a draw this time around.

The two sides entered the game on the back of contrasting Matchday One results, with Al Shorta having lost to Al Duhail SC 2-0 while Esteghlal overpowered Al Ahli Saudi FC 5-2.

Goals from last year’s top scorer Abderazak Hamdallah and second half substitutes Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem and Khalid Al-Ghannam gave 2020 semi-finalists Al Nassr their first victory of this year's campaign, having opened with a 0-0 draw against Jordan's Al Wehdat.

Qatar champions Al Sadd, meanwhile, are still seeking their first win after needing a last gasp equaliser to salvage a point against Foolad Khouzestan FC of Islamic Republic of Iran on Matchday One.

Inspired by former Paykan FC striker Shahriyar Moghanlou – on loan from Portuguese side CD Santa Clara – the Iranian champions made a statement of intent as they came from a goal down to defeat their Qatari opponents 3-1 at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The-AFC.com dives into some of the key takeaways from the game.