Al-Ahli wins its first Asian Champions League title

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Al-Ahli won its first AFC Champions League Elite title after beating Kawasaki Frontale of Japan 2-0 in the final on Saturday.

The star-studded Jeddah team, playing at home in front of 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, deserved what was a comfortable victory and completed an unbeaten tournament.

First-half goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie put the two-time beaten finalist in control against the five-time Japanese champion.

The tournament quarterfinals, semifinals and final were staged in Jeddah and Al-Ahli rode a wave of support.

The hosts were on top early and made the breakthrough after 35 minutes. Roberto Firmino fed Galeno outside the area and the Brazilian winger, signed from Porto in January for around $55 million, sent a curling shot into the top corner.

Al Ahli’s Roberto Firmino holds up the trophy as celebrate with his teammates at the end of the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

Three minutes before the break, Firmino crossed from the right for Kessie, and the former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder headed home from close range. Firmino won the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

Kawasaki, which knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the semifinals to reach its first final, pressured after the restart but struggled to create clear chances against a team full of big-game experience.

Firmino, signed from Liverpool in 2023, is a past UEFA Champions League winner, as are his teammates Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, who lifted the trophy with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.

Mahrez, with nine goals in the tournament, went close to adding a third late in the final, firing just wide.

The home fans were already celebrating.

Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Kawasaki Flontale’s Kota Takai during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

“We are so proud. Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans,” Al-Ahli goalkeeper Mendy said.

“Since I came here 18 months ago, they have supported us so much. As I said when I signed, it was to make history, to win trophies and to make this club as big as it was before.”

Al-Ahli is the third Saudi club to win the Champions League after Jeddah rival Al-Ittihad and Riyadh’s Al-Hilal.