Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney powered Al Ahli into the AFC Champions League final with a thrilling 3-1 victory over fellow Saudi side Al Hilal on Tuesday. Playing at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Al Ahli now await the winner of the semifinal between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
Al Ahli got off to a flying start in the ninth minute when Brazilian winger Galeno dashed down the wing and set up compatriot Firmino, who finished with style. The former Liverpool star, captaining Al Ahli, notched his sixth goal of the tournament.
Just before the 30-minute mark, Riyad Mahrez sliced open the defense with a perfect pass to Ivan Toney. The English striker, a recent signing from Brentford, rounded goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and calmly slotted the ball home, doubling Al Ahli’s lead.
Al Hilal fought back, reducing the deficit three minutes before halftime. Captain Salem Al Dawsari capitalized on a loose touch from Al Ahli’s Franck Kessie and hammered in his tenth goal of the campaign, making him the tournament’s top scorer.
The second half was packed with action. Toney had two goals disallowed for offside, while Firmino and Galeno both struck the woodwork. Al Hilal’s hopes dimmed when defender Kalidou Koulibaly received a second yellow card in the 59th minute, leaving them with ten men.
In the 85th minute, Al Ahli had a chance to seal the win, but Kessie’s penalty was saved by Bounou after Mahrez was fouled in the box. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Feras Al Buraikan made an immediate impact, scoring moments after coming on to secure the 3-1 victory.
Al Ahli remain unbeaten in this year’s competition and are set to make their second appearance in the final, their first since 2012. They could face domestic rivals Al Nassr or Kawasaki Frontale in the championship match, keeping the possibility of an all-Saudi final alive.
