Jeddah giants Al-Ahli clinched a spot in the AFC Champions League final with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Al-Hilal on Tuesday. Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney played pivotal roles in this intense match, showcasing their skills and teamwork. This triumph at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium brings Al-Ahli one step closer to the prestigious trophy.
A Blazing Start
Al-Ahli began the match strongly, scoring early. Brazilian winger Galeno sprinted to the byline within nine minutes, cutting the ball back to Firmino, who finished with precision. This goal marked Firmino’s sixth of the tournament, despite not being officially registered in the Saudi Pro League squad.
Less than twenty minutes later, Al-Ahli doubled their lead. Riyad Mahrez delivered a brilliant pass to Toney, who confidently rounded goalkeeper Yassine Bounou before scoring. Toney’s goal brought him level with Firmino in the tournament’s scoring charts. Mahrez shines as he leads the tournament in assists, amassing eight.
Before the break, Al-Hilal managed to narrow the gap. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari took advantage of a defensive miscue from Franck Kessie. He scored his tenth goal of the campaign, placing him at the top of the tournament’s scoring charts. This show of skill kept Al-Hilal in the fight.
Intense Second Half Action
The second half featured frenetic action. Toney had two goals disallowed for offside, adding to the tension. Additionally, both Firmino and Galeno hit the post, showcasing Al-Ahli’s attacking prowess.
Al-Hilal faced a setback when Kalidou Koulibaly received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men. Despite this, the match continued to thrill. Kessie missed an 85th-minute penalty after Mahrez was fouled, further intensifying the drama.
In the closing moments, substitute Feras Al-Buraikan secured the victory for Al-Ahli, scoring shortly after his introduction. This win marks Al-Ahli’s historic return to the final, their first since 2012. They remain the only unbeaten team in this season’s competition.
The Jeddah-side’s victory sets the stage for an exciting final on Saturday, where they will meet either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr or Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale who play the other Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, also at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
