Xavi Hernandez's Al Sadd went into the match on a three-game winning run while Al Nassr has stuttered since winning the reverse fixture 3-1 on Matchday Two, but they found their form when it mattered most to progress to the knockout rounds for the third successive year.

The-AFC.com looks back at the key factors behind the result.

Mohammad Abbaszadeh’s second brace of the campaign secured Tractor the three points, consigning their opponents to their first defeat in Group B and becoming the only unbeaten side in the West zone of the 2021 AFC Champions League.

The forward struck on the half-volley in the seventh minute and added the second after finishing a quick counter attack after the hour-mark.

Shahriyar Moghanlou and Ehsan Pahlavan gave Persepolis a two-goal cushion going into the break but a Yohan Boli brace kept Qatar's Al Rayyan in contention. Hossein Kanani and Isa Alkasir, however, sealed the points for the Islamic Republic of Iran side.

Persepolis finished top with 15 points while UAE’s Al Wahda, who defeated FC Goa 2-0 in the other match, also advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best three second-placed finishers.

FC Istiklol and Al Hilal are both on 10 points going into Matchday Six but the Tajikistan side will seal top spot should they beat AGMK FC, thanks to a better head-to-head against the 2019 AFC Champions League winners.

Thirteen points, however, may well be enough to take Al Hilal through, with the three best runners-up from the five West groups also advancing to the Round of 16.

A win for Istiklol will mean they will finish as group winners in their debut campaign, irrespective of the Al Hilal FC-Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, with the Tajikistan champions having a better head-to-head record against the 2019 AFc Champions League winners.

Victory will take Esteghlal to 11 points but with Al Duhail of Qatar playing Al Ahli Saudi FC in the group's later match, the Islamic Republic of Iran side will only know their fate hours after their tie against Al Shorta with all three teams tied on eights points going into Matchday Six, setting the stage for an exciting finish to Group C.

Both are tied on eight with Esteghlal FC, with the Islamic Republic of Iran side playing Iraq's Al Shorta earlier on Friday, with only the group winners assured of advancing to the Round of 16.

The three best runners-up from the five AFC Champions League West groups will also advance, meaning Al Duhail and Al Ahli Saudi will have all to play for even if Esteghlal beat Al Shorta.