According to reports, Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia, as expected, managed to defeat Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the AFC Champions League final at the elite level and claim their first-ever continental title. The tournament was held in a centralized format in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from the quarterfinals to the final, and the Saudi representative, taking full advantage of the home conditions and the presence of over 60,000 passionate fans, achieved their first-ever continental club championship. Al-Ahli, who had previously reached the AFC Champions League final twice but failed both times, this time broke the curse of failures with a powerful and calculated performance and etched their name in history.

During the match, Al-Ahli took control of the game from the very first minutes with an aggressive start and created several serious chances. In the 5th minute, Franck Kessié passed the ball from the right to Ivan Toney, and the Japanese goalkeeper made an excellent save to deflect the English striker’s powerful shot for a corner. Moments later, from the same corner, the ball reached Ziyad Al-Johani in the six-yard box, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Yamaguchi. After a few more chances, the deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute.

Roberto Firmino, the undisputed star of the match, delivered a precise pass from behind the penalty area to Wanderson Galeno in the 35th minute. The Brazilian winger sent the ball into the far corner with a technical and stunning strike to explode the stadium and put Al-Ahli ahead by one goal. Al-Ahli’s lead was doubled just a few minutes later.

In the 42nd minute, Firmino was again the architect. He made a dazzling run down the right flank and delivered a measured cross to Franck Kessié. The Ivorian midfielder headed the ball into the net to send his team into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Kawasaki, who were under pressure for most of the first half, tried to recover in the second half but failed to break through Al-Ahli’s defense.

In the second half, Al-Ahli maintained their superior performance and had a few half-chances for a third goal. The most notable one came in the 54th minute when Firmino nearly scored the third goal, but his shot went just over the crossbar. On the other end, Kawasaki missed their best opportunity in the 78th minute; Tatsuyuki Ito struck a side-footed shot in a good position that went just wide. Ultimately, the match ended 2-0 in favor of Al-Ahli, ensuring the championship trophy stayed home.

Al-Ahli Lineup:
Edouard Mendy, Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibañez, Ezgjan Alioski, Franck Kessié, Ziyad Al-Johani, Riyad Mahrez, Galeno (74′ Gabriel Vega), Roberto Firmino (74′ Firas Al-Buraikan), Ivan Toney
Manager: Matthias Jaissle

Kawasaki Frontale Lineup:
Luis Yamaguchi, Asahi Sasaki, Kota Takai, Yuichi Maruyama, Sota Miura (42′ Wermeskerken), So Kawahara, Yuki Yamamoto (65′ Yuto Ozaki), Marcinho, Ya Suto Wakizaka, Akihiro Ienaga (65′ Tatsuyuki Ito), Erison (46′ Shin Yamada)
Manager: Shigetoshi Hasebe

Goal Descriptions:
Al-Ahli 1 – Kawasaki 0 (35′: Galeno): Roberto Firmino passed the ball to Galeno behind the penalty area. The Brazilian winger sent the ball into the far corner with a stunning technical strike to score the first goal of the match.

Al-Ahli 2 – Kawasaki 0 (42′: Franck Kessié): Roberto Firmino was again involved. His brilliant cross from the right was met by Franck Kessié’s precise header to extend the host’s lead.

Yellow Card:
Al-Ahli: Merih Demiral (44)

Key Moments:
5′: Franck Kessié’s pass from the right found Ivan Toney, whose powerful shot was deflected for a corner by Kawasaki goalkeeper Yamaguchi.
6′: Al-Ahli immediately missed another dangerous chance. From the resulting corner, the ball reached Ziyad Al-Johani in the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Yamaguchi.
11′: Kawasaki created their first serious chance. Marcinho cut in from the left and fired a side-footed shot that went just wide.
17′: Ivan Toney found space in the penalty area, but his shot hit the side netting.
18′: After Al-Ahli’s attacks were repeatedly blocked, Roger Ibañez struck from outside the box, but his shot went just wide.
22′: Galeno attempted a shot from outside the box, but Yamaguchi saved comfortably.
33′: Roberto Firmino shot from outside the box, but the Kawasaki goalkeeper saved easily.
54′: Firmino nearly made it 3-0, but his shot went over the bar.
61′: Galeno drove down the left and passed to Franck Kessié, whose shot was blocked before Riyad Mahrez fired over.
78′: Kawasaki’s best chance of the second half saw Tatsuyuki Ito shoot just wide.

81′: Gabriel Vega could have extended the lead, but his weak shot was saved by Yamaguchi.

Highlights:

* Over 60,000 fans were present in the stadium, most of whom were supporting Al-Ahli. The final was held at Al-Ahli’s home stadium.

* Japanese fans, though fewer in number, were also present in the stadium.

* The trophy for the first AFC Champions League was displayed before the match.

* Al-Ahli fans created an incredible atmosphere in the stadium, eagerly awaiting their team’s first Asian title.