Al-Ahli triumphs over Kawasaki, clinching their first Asian Champions League trophy
Al-Ahli of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia secured their first AFC Champions League Elite title in a thrilling 2-0 victory over Japan's Kawasaki Frontale on May 3, 2025, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The star-studded Saudi squad, playing in front of a boisterous home crowd of 60,000 fans, dominated the game from the get-go and demonstrated their big-game experience. Their unbeaten run throughout the tournament was more than enough to secure a comfortable victory.
First-half goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie gave the two-time runner-up a commanding lead against the five-time Japanese champion. Galeno, who joined from Porto in January for around $55 million, opened the scoring after 35 minutes with a brilliant curled shot, while Kessie, a former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder, headed home from close range just before halftime off a cross from tournament MVP Roberto Firmino.
Kawasaki, having eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the semifinals, showed great tenacity after the break but struggled to create clear chances against Al-Ahli's resilient defense. Firmino, who signed with Al-Ahli from Liverpool in 2023, nearly added a third late in the game, but just missed the mark.
Al-Ahli's victory marked a significant milestone for not only the club but also Saudi football. Previously, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal had been the only Saudi clubs to claim the AFC Champions League title.
With a stellar squad featuring players like Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Kessie, Édouard Mendy, and Ivan Toney, Al-Ahli is set to cement its place in the AFC Champions League landscape for years to come.
- The victory over Kawasaki Frontale marked a historic moment for Al-Ahli, as the Saudi squad, bolstered by European stars like Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessie, Édouard Mendy, and Ivan Toney, became the third Saudi club to win the AFC Champions League.
- Al-Ahli's dominance in the AFC Champions League is reminiscent of their success in European-leagues, a testament to the quality of their star-studded squad.
- Firmino, who joined Al-Ahli from European giants Liverpool, played a pivotal role in Al-Ahli's victory, providing the assist for Kessie's goal and coming close to scoring a third goal late in the game.
- Despite a valiant effort from five-time Japanese champion Kawasaki Frontale, who eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the semifinals, Al-Ahli's superior skill and big-game experience, honed through their participation in European leagues, proved to be the deciding factor in the final.
