Al-Ahli sealed their maiden AFC Champions League Elite title with a confident 2-0 victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in Jeddah on Saturday night, capping off an unbeaten campaign in front of a rapturous home crowd.
The Saudi giants, backed by 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City, dominated proceedings from the outset and made their superiority count with two first-half goals. It was a historic night for a club that had previously fallen short in two finals but showed maturity and control throughout the competition.
Brazilian winger Galeno opened the scoring on 35 minutes, curling a sublime strike into the top corner after being teed up by Roberto Firmino. Signed for a reported $55 million from Porto in January, Galeno’s impact was immediate and emphatic.
Just before half-time, Firmino was at it again—this time delivering a precise cross for Franck Kessie, who nodded in from close range. The Ivorian midfielder, formerly of AC Milan and Barcelona, gave Al-Ahli a commanding lead they never looked like surrendering.
Firmino, instrumental in both goals, was deservedly named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The former Liverpool striker has flourished in Saudi Arabia, and his leadership on the pitch was central to Al-Ahli’s continental triumph.
With the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final all hosted in Jeddah, Al-Ahli rode a wave of passionate support to lift the trophy without suffering a single defeat—a fitting reward for a side that blended flair with resilience.
This title not only ends Al-Ahli’s long wait for Asian silverware but also signals their arrival as a force on the continental stage.
