Al Hilal vs Navbahor live score, result, updates, highlights from AFC Champions League group stage match

Neymar could finally make his full Al Hilal debut as the Saudi club begins AFC Champions League group stage play against Uzbekistan side Navbahor Namangan.

After a longer wait than usual thanks to an ankle injury, Neymar made his Al Hilal debut on Friday, coming off the bench to play 26 minutes and picked up an assist in a 6-1 demolition of Al Riyadh.

His introduction marked the completion of Al Hilal's incredible summer transfer window, which brought in the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milnikovic-Savic, and Yassine Bounou all from big European clubs.

They get continental play started against Navbahor who sit second in their league table through 17 matches, seven points back of leaders Pakhtakor who also appear in this competition alongside another Saudi club, Al Fayha, in their group.

Unlike the UEFA Champions League, the group stage of the Asian competition only sees the top spot in each group guaranteed to reach the knockout round, while the second-place finisher must rank in the top six amongst runners-up to advance, meaning points are extremely valuable in every group match.

A full overview of all 2023/24 AFC Champions League fixtures, schedule, results, and more

The Sporting News is following the Al Hilal vs. Navbahor Namangan match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Starting lineups:

Al Hilal (4-2-3-1, right to left): 21. Al Owais (GK) — 66. Abdulhamid, 87. Tambakti, 5. Al Bulayhi, 12. Al Shahrani — 8. Neves, 7. Al Faraj — 96. Michael, 77. Malcom, 10. Neymar — 9. Mitrovic

Navbahor (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Yusupov (GK) — 13. Ivanovic, 5. Milovic, 6. Yuldoshev — 14. Boltaboev, 17. Ismoilov, 10. Iskanderov, 7. Urunov  — 22.