Al Ahli Wins Second Straight AFC Champions League Elite

Al Ahli Saudi FC clinched the 2026 AFC Champions League Elite title on Saturday, 25 April 2026, defeating Japan's Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time in a tense final played in Jeddah.

The decisive goal came from Feras Al Brikan six minutes into extra time, breaking a goalless deadlock and sealing the trophy for the Jeddah club. The win marks Al Ahli's second consecutive title in the competition.

With the victory, Al Ahli became only the second club to win back-to-back titles in the modern era of the tournament. The first was fellow Jeddah side Al Ittihad, which lifted the trophy in 2004 and 2005.

Why it matters

The result underscores the continued strength of Saudi football on the continental stage and adds another chapter to Jeddah's rich history in Asia's premier club competition. For fans across the Kingdom, the back-to-back success highlights the rising competitiveness of local clubs against top Asian opposition.

Hosting the final in Jeddah also offered supporters the chance to witness a landmark moment on home soil, as Al Ahli secured a place among the tournament's most successful teams.

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