Al Ahli Saudi FC successfully defended their AFC Champions League Elite title after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Japan’s Machida Zelvia in the final held on Saturday in Jeddah.
The match took place at Alinma Stadium, which hosted the second edition of Asia’s premier club competition under its new format introduced last year.
Both teams delivered a competitive performance, but the decisive moment came deep into stoppage time.
Firas Al Buraikan emerged as the hero for Al Ahli, scoring the winning goal in the 96th minute.
The move began with a precise cross from Riyad Mahrez, which was skillfully set up by Franck Kessie before Al Buraikan fired the ball into the net with a powerful finish.
The victory ensured that the Jeddah-based club retained the continental title for a second consecutive year, marking a historic achievement after claiming their first-ever Asian crown in the previous edition.
Al Ahli had lifted the 2025 title by defeating Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final, making this latest triumph further confirmation of their growing dominance on the Asian stage.
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