Ayanda Patosi’s cross from the corner was powered home by Ali Karimi’s header in the fifth minute to give Esteghlal an early lead. It was also the first time Al Hilal had gone behind in the AFC Champions League this season.
The second goal arrived at the half-hour mark. Patosi was again the creative force for Esteghlal, sending a long ball from a set-piece for Mohammad Daneshgar who headed it across the goalmouth for fellow defender Pejman Montazeri, who powered it into the net with a flying header at the back post.
Al Hilal forward Bafetimbi Gomis took advantage of a defensive mix-up to pull one back in the 71st minute.
Al Hilal remains top of Group C with six points ahead of April 23’s reverse fixture in Abu Dhabi, while the three points helped Esteghlal climb up to third place in the group, behind second-placed Al Duhail on the head-to-head.