The final match, held in Jeddah on 25/4, saw Al Ahli dominate possession and create numerous opportunities early on, but they failed to convert their chances. The game's dynamics shifted in the 68th minute when Zakaria Hawsawi received a red card for a headbutt on an opponent. However, Machida Zelvia could not capitalize on their numerical advantage.

Al Ahli celebrates winning the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite season. Photo: Al Ahli

The decisive moment arrived in the sixth minute of the first extra time. From a cross delivered by Riyad Mahrez from the right wing, Franck Kessie controlled the ball, setting up Saudi national team striker Firas Al-Burikan for a one-touch diagonal shot. This secured a one-zero victory in a tense match before approximately 60,000 spectators, most of whom were Al Ahli supporters.

"It is unbelievable. We made it difficult for ourselves", former Man City striker Mahrez stated after the match. "Playing 10 against 11 is almost impossible, but the entire team united, fought, and ran harder until we scored".

This victory marks Al Ahli's two consecutive AFC Champions League titles, having defeated another Japanese representative, Kawasaki Frontale, two-zero in last season's final. They are the first club to achieve two consecutive championships in this tournament since Al Ittihad in 2004 and 2005.

This year's AFC Champions League Elite faced external challenges, with all matches from the quarterfinals onwards held in Jeddah. Machida's semifinal match drew only 395 spectators, and several round of 16 games were postponed and shortened due to the regional security situation.

Despite these challenges, reaching the final was a historic milestone for Machida Zelvia, a team that has never won the J1 League. Machida coach Go Kuroda remarked, "We are happy to reach the final, but Al Ahli is an experienced team. The goal came at a difficult time, and we could not turn the tide".

Al Ahli players take turns posing with the trophy.

Founded in 1937 and headquartered in Jeddah, Al Ahli is one of Saudi Arabia's most successful clubs and a founding member of the national league.

Al Ahli boasts an impressive record, including 9 Saudi Pro League titles, 13 King's Cups, 6 Crown Prince Cups, two Super Cups, 5 Federation Cups, and two AFC Champions League Elite titles. The club achieved two domestic doubles, winning both the national league and King's Cup in the same season, in 1978 and 2016. They also hold the record for a 51-match unbeaten streak in the domestic league between 2014 and 2016.

This season, Al Ahli's squad features many prominent players who previously played in Europe, such as Mahrez, former AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, former Roma defender Roger Ibanez, former Juventus midfielder Merih Demiral, and former Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

Hong Duy