The UAE Pro League began its new season with goals, drama and a major surprise for Andrea Pirlo.
Defending champions Al Ain made a stunning comeback on Sunday. They beat Baniyas 4-2 after falling two goals behind.
Al Ain had not lost a league game since March 2025. They also went unbeaten throughout last season. That long run looked close to ending when Baniyas took control early.
Youssoufou Niakate scored twice in the first half for Baniyas. The Mali forward put the hosts in a strong position.
Al Ain thought they had found a way back when new striker Giorgos Giakoumakis scored a superb goal. But VAR ruled it out because of an earlier foul.
The champions did not give up.
Soufiane Rahimi pulled one goal back from the penalty spot just before half-time. Al Ain then pushed hard after the break.
Houssine Rahimi scored the equaliser in the 81st minute. He then struck again in stoppage time to complete the comeback.
Kaku added another goal soon after. The final 4-2 score gave Al Ain three points and protected their unbeaten league run.
The result was far closer than the final score suggests. Baniyas had Al Ain in trouble for much of the first half.
Al Jazira also started the season with a win. Cosmin Olaroiu saw his team beat Hatta 2-0 on Sunday.
The result was a welcome response after Al Jazira suffered a heavy loss to Saudi club Al Ittihad in an Asian Champions League play-off during the week.
Simon Banza opened the scoring for Al Jazira. Ali Almemari then added the second goal to secure a winning start.
The biggest surprise of the opening weekend came on Saturday.
Italian football great Andrea Pirlo suffered a difficult start to his first Pro League season. His newly promoted United FC side lost 5-1 away to Al Wasl.
The match was also a new Dubai derby. It was an exciting first test for Pirlo and his players.
Al Wasl quickly took control. Renato Junior scored the opening goal for the home side.
United FC then made history. Adel Wajdan scored the club’s first ever UAE Pro League goal.
For a time, United stayed in the match. But a major turning point came in the 63rd minute.
Nagoro Dao scored an own goal to put Al Wasl back in front. The hosts then took control and found more space.
Ali Saleh added a third goal. Serginho then scored twice to complete a 5-1 win.
United showed they could compete for long periods. But Al Wasl were more clinical when chances came.
The result gave Pirlo a clear lesson about the level of the UAE top flight. United FC will now look to recover in their next match.
Sharjah enjoyed one of the best starts of the weekend. They won 3-1 away at Al Dhafra.
Luan Pereira gave Sharjah the lead. Dominique Mendy later equalised for Al Dhafra.
Sharjah then regained control through their new attacking players. Brazilian forwards Julimar and Agner both scored to secure the victory.
The goals were a strong start for the club’s new signings. Sharjah will hope the pair can continue to make an impact during the season.
The opening weekend has already produced several key stories.
Al Ain showed why they remain the team to beat after coming from two goals down. Al Jazira began well under Olaroiu after a difficult week. Sharjah’s new attack also delivered early.
For Pirlo, the first weekend was far less positive. His United FC team suffered a heavy defeat, but the club made history by scoring its first league goal.
With the season now under way, the early results suggest another competitive campaign. Al Ain have already shown their strength, while Sharjah and Al Jazira have made strong starts.
United FC, meanwhile, will need a quick response after their heavy loss. The UAE Pro League has only just begun, but the opening weekend has already provided plenty of drama.
