Pakhtakor returned to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010 after topping Group B with 10 points. The annulment of Al Hilal SFC’s results meant Pakhtakor had secured their place in the next round before kicking off their Matchday Six win over Shahr Khodro.

Established names have proven themselves, while young talents have emerged in the six matchdays of the group stage. the-AFC.com profiles eight key players who have guided their teams into the next round.

Doha: Esteghlal FC's Mehdi Ghaedi has been voted by the fans as the 2020 AFC Champions League Matchday Six Toyota Player of the Week.

Ghaedi, who shone during the Iranian side's 3-0 win over Al Ahli Saudi FC on Matchday Six, was top of OPTA's ratings after he received an impressive 8.6 rating following a goal and an assist in the comprehensive victory for the Tehran giants and the fans agreed.

Al Ahli reached the knock-out stage for the eighth time in their history after topping Group A with six points. Following the withdrawal of Al Wahda FSCC and annulment of their results, Al Ahli's 1-0 win over Al Shorta on Matchday Three meant they advanced to the next round with two games to spare, having picked up four points from their first two matches.

Shojae Khalilzadeh put Persepolis in the lead inside two minutes, Isa Al Kasir and Vahid Amiri added goals in the final five minutes of the first half before a late Mehdi Abdi Qara goal completed the win, sending the Iranians into the Round of 16 as group winners.

They will play Qatar's Al Sadd in what promises to be an enticing Round of 16 tie on Sunday.

Al Taawoun went into the match needing a win to advance to the Round of 16 and looked to be heading out of the competition until bandaged Australian striker Mitchell Duke headed home the winner with four minutes left on the clock.

The dramatic win not only took Al Taawoun into a Round of 16 match-up with domestic rivals Al Nassr but also eliminated Qatar champions Al Duhail.