Al Ahli Cruises Past Buriram to Reach ACL Semi-Finals

Al Ahli secured a spot in the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Buriram United. They'll face Al Hilal in an all-Saudi clash.

Al Ahli secured a spot in the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals with a convincing 3-0 win over Buriram United in Jeddah. The victory sets up an all-Saudi Pro League clash against Al Hilal.

Al Ahli dominated the match from the start, with Riyad Mahrez and Galeno scoring within six minutes. Roberto Firmino sealed the win with a goal 15 minutes before halftime, completing a comfortable victory at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Al Ahli will face Al Hilal in the semi-finals, seeking their first continental title after finishing as runners-up in 1986 and 2012. Al Hilal, a four-time champion, secured their spot with a 7-0 win over Gwangju.

Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for Al Ahli, calmly slotting the ball past Neil Etheridge after being set up by Roberto Firmino.

To the semis! 💪#AHLvBUR#ACLElite pic.twitter.com/v5nWpHMrTs

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) April 26, 2025

Al Ahli doubled their lead just two minutes after Mahrez's goal, with Galeno scoring a clinical finish through the goalkeeper's legs after a well-weighted pass from Roger Ibanez.

Buriram thought they'd gotten a lifeline when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Martin Boakye, but Ahmed Al-Kaf overturned the decision after VAR review. Despite this setback, Buriram weathered the initial pressure, only to concede again in the 30th minute.

Roberto Firmino headed Al Ahli's third goal, tapping in Merih Demiral's header from Riyad Mahrez's corner. Al Ahli's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made a rare save in injury time, gathering Seksan Ratree's header, before the home side eased into cruise control after halftime.

The Asian Champions League Elite's quarterfinals, semifinals, and final are being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The remaining quarterfinal matches feature Al Nassr vs. Yokohama F Marinos and Al Sadd vs. Kawasaki Frontale. The semifinals take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final scheduled for May 3rd.