Al Ahli Edge Past Machida Zelvia in Extra Time to Defend AFC Champions League Elite Title

Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli narrowly defeated Japan's Machida Zelvia to claim the AFC Champions League Elite title at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 25. Al Ahli deployed ten foreign players led by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, ex-Manchester City and Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez, former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessié, and ex-Brentford striker Ivan Toney, essentially playing as the home team with packed local fan support. Machida Zelvia, recently promoted to the J-League three seasons ago, pressed continuously in defense. The match remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the 68th minute when Saudi defender Sakarya Al Hawsawi received a red card, forcing the match to extra time. In the 96th minute, Al Ahli broke through when Riyad Mahrez threaded a deep pass to the far post, and Franck Kessié controlled the ball before Firas Al-Bikan, an Al Ahli substitute, fired in the winning goal. This marks Al Ahli's second championship in the AFC's premier Asian competition, following their 2024-2025 season title. Saudi clubs have now claimed eight AFC Champions League Elite titles combined: Al Hilal four times, Al Ittihad twice, and Al Ahli twice. This victory continues Saudi dominance over Japanese teams, having previously defeated Kawasaki Frontale last season.