Al Ahli claimed their first-ever AFC Champions League title on Saturday, defeating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Having finished as runners-up in 1986 and 2012, the Saudi side sealed victory with two quickfire goals before halftime — a stunning 25-yard strike from Brazilian winger Galeno in the 35th minute, followed by a powerful header from Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié just seven minutes later.
The win capped a dominant, unbeaten run through the tournament for coach Matthias Jaissle’s side, who now join Al Hilal and Al Ittihad as the only Saudi clubs to lift the title.
The final also marked a historic milestone for Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, and Riyad Mahrez — making them the first players to win both the AFC Champions League and UEFA Champions League.
Despite early promise, debut finalists Frontale failed to register a single shot on target in the first half and were unable to mount a comeback.
With this triumph, Al Ahli secure a $10 million prize and further spotlight Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in world football, backed by the powerful Public Investment Fund.