Al-Hilal, four-time AFC Champions League winners, outscore Gwangju 7-0, advancing to the semi-finals.
Al-Hilal, former four-time winners of the AFC Champions League Elite, dominated Gwangju FC in this year's quarter-finals, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a jaw-dropping 7-0 victory. The action went down at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with the Saudi Arabian powerhouse showcasing their exceptional talent, led by 2024 Asian Footballer of the Year Salem Al-Dawsari.
The AFC Champions League Elite Finals, featuring the top eight teams from both West Asia and the East, kicked off with this thrilling encounter. Alongside Al-Hilal, fellow Saudi teams Al-Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo on their roster, and Al-Ahli, with Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney as key players, also made it to the last eight.
If we dig into the past, Al-Hilal has a long and storied history in the AFC Champions League. They've taken home the trophy four times - in 1991, 2000, 2019, and 2021, and have been runners-up on five other occasions. On the contrary, Gwangju FC, this year's debutant, faced a steep learning curve against the experienced Saudi team.
The quarter-final match began with fireworks. It took Al-Hilal just six minutes to break the deadlock, as former Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic headed home a corner from Al-Dawsari to give them the lead. From that point on, it was all Al-Hilal as they cruised into the last four, showcasing their top-tier credentials.
- Al-Hilal, with their impressive credentials in football and previous wins in the Champions League Elite in 1991, 2000, 2019, and 2021, romped past Gwangju FC in this year's quarter-finals, securing a 7-0 victory that put them in the semi-finals.
- In addition to Al-Hilal, fellow Saudi teams Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, and Al-Ahli, boasting Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, also made it to the last eight of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals.
- The AFC Champions League Elite Finals pitted Al-Hilal, a seasoned Saudi Arabian powerhouse, against Gwangju FC, this year's debutant, who faced a challenging learning curve against the experienced competitors.
- The quarter-final match started with fireworks, as Al-Hilal took the lead just six minutes into the game, with former Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic heading a corner from Salem Al-Dawsari into the net.
- In European leagues, Al-Hilal's success in sports, especially football, has earned them a reputation as formidable opponents, a fact that was highlighted by their dominating performance in the Champions League Elite quarter-finals.
