Al Hilal, who defeated Gwangju FC, failed to advance to the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) final.
Al Hilal lost 1-3 to Al Ahli in the ACLE semifinals of the 2024-2025 season at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 30th (Korea time). Al-Hilal, who was called the "Huohwajun" and considered the strongest candidate for the championship, failed to reach the final. Al Hilal scored seven goals in the quarterfinals against Gwangju, which made a miraculous move, and won a great victory of 7-0. Al Hilal, who challenged for his fifth career championship, failed to cross the semifinal threshold.
Al Ahli, who defeated Thailand's Buriram United 3-0 in the quarterfinals, reached the final, beating even Al Hilal. Al-Ahli is trying to win the first Asian summit since its foundation. Al Ahli's best performance ever was second place twice in the 1985-1986 season and 2012.
Both teams dispatched their proud special foreign resources. Al Hilal put forward Aleksandro Mitrovic, Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, Malcolm, Henang Lodge, Huven Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Yasin Bunu. Al Ahlido Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney, Frank Kesier, Riyad Mahrez, Eduardo Mengdi, and others were dispatched.
Al Ahli took the lead in the 9th minute of the first half. Firmino, who played an active role in Liverpool, scored the first goal. Galeno ran near the left goal line in the penalty area and connected Hojer Ibáñez's forward pass to the center. Firmino rushed to the gate and finished with his right foot.
Al Ahli, who gained momentum, scored an additional goal in the first half. In the 27th minute, Toni took over Mahrez's penetration pass from the left side of the penalty box, beat the goalkeeper, and pushed it with his left foot.
Al Hilal didn't stay put either. In the 42nd minute of the first half, Salem Aldousari took advantage of the opponent's defense's mistake and kicked it with his right foot. In the end, the first half of 2-1 Al Ahli's lead was completed.
Al Hilal, who was aiming for a counterattack in the second half, has a variable. In the 14th minute of the second half, Koulibaly was sent off with a second warning. Al Hilal, who was in a numerical inferiority, lost power. The game was practically over here.
Al Ahli's offensive intensified. The opportunity to score an additional goal was repeatedly eliminated. Firmino and Mahrez's consecutive shots in the 28th minute of the second half and Galeno's shots in the 33rd minute of the second half all came out against the post. In the 41st minute of the second half, Kesier missed Mahrez's penalty.
But Al Ahli clinched the game. In extra time, Firas Albraikan scored, and Al Ahli won the ticket to the final.
Al Ahli, who came to the final, will play the winner of the Al Nasr-Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), where Cristiano Ronaldo plays. The final will be held on May 4.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
