Al Ahli came into this match with star forward Ivan Toney in good form, having scored four goals in three domestic matches, but despite holding majority of the ball, were unable to trouble Nasaf custodian Abduvakhid Nematov.

Mahrez, who had a sterling campaign last season, came closest from two half chances in the opening 25 minutes where he smashed a free-kick high over the bar before producing a looping header with the same outcome.

Visitors Nasaf grew in confidence with every passing minute as they started to show more attacking intent, Golib Gaybullaev with a spectacular long range piledriver that Edouard Mendy had to push out.

They went ahead when a misplaced pass by experienced centre-back Merih Demiral in the 34th minute was intercepted by Murodbek Rahmatov, who played a first time touch for Norchaev to slot past Mendy.

Shock turned to disbelief for Al Ahli seven minutes later when Nasaf doubled their lead after Oybek Bozorov turned away from two markers to send Norchaev through and the 23-year-old forward produced a composed curling finish.

Chasing the game, Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle sent on Matheus Goncalves and Sulaiman at the start of the second half, before introducing Saleh Alshamat and Valentine Atangana to the fray just after the hour mark.

The changes brought new impetus to Al Ahli’s play but it was a moment of poor decision making from Nematov - who came rushing out of his box for a clearance only to make a heavy touch that allowed Millot the opportunity to reduce the deficit from distance into an empty goalmouth in the 65th minute.

The attacking midfielder - signed from German side VFB Stuttgart - struck again three minutes later, pouncing from close range after Alshamat’s shot had hit Gaybullaev before landing kindly into his path.

Just when it looked like the match was headed for a share of the points, Mahrez put Al Ahli ahead in stoppage time when he controlled a cross, cut his way inside the box and fired a low shot past Nematov.

Nasaf’s misery was then compounded by Alibek Davronov’s red card with Sulaiman turning the ball home from Mahrez’s pass to settle the contest.