Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney were on target as Al-Ahli sealed their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite final with a commanding 3-1 win over Al-Hilal in a heated all-Saudi semi-final clash.
The Jeddah-based club raced into a two-goal lead in the first half, Firmino opening the scoring after just nine minutes with a clinical side-footed finish from Galeno’s low cross. Riyad Mahrez then lit up the match with a sublime assist for Toney, threading a pinpoint ball through for the striker to round goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and slot home in the 27th minute.
Salem Al Dawsari pulled one back for Al-Hilal just before half-time, capitalizing on a loose ball to fire past Edouard Mendy. However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Kalidou Koulibaly was dismissed early in the second half for a second bookable offense, leaving Al-Hilal with ten men.
Al-Ahli could have extended their lead from the penalty spot late on, but Franck Kessie’s tame effort was saved by Bounou. The third goal eventually came deep into stoppage time, with Feras Al Brikan wrapping up the win and sparking celebrations.
Mahrez, who now has a goal contribution in six consecutive Elite matches, equaled a competition record with 17 combined goals and assists this campaign — matching Muriqui’s tally from 2013.
Al-Ahli, finalists for the first time since 2013, will now face either Al-Nassr or Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the final showdown.
