ACL Elite: Al Ahli 1-0 Machida AET - Al Buraikan Clinches

Al Ahli retain Asian Champions League with win over Machida

Firas Al Buraikan’s extra-time goal gives 10-man Al Ahli 1-0 win vs Machida Zelvia in ACL Elite final. Saudi club first to defend title since Al Ittihad 20 years ago.

First club since Al Ittihad in 2005 to retain Asian Champions League crown...

Al Ahli became the first club in over 20 years to win consecutive Asian Champions League titles after beating Japan’s Machida Zelvia 1-0 in extra time in Jeddah on Saturday.

  

The defending champions, who beat Kawasaki Frontale 12 months ago for their first continental title, kept the trophy thanks to substitute Firas Al Buraikan’s 96th-minute winner in front of 58,984 fans at their home, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

  

Al Ahli were down to 10 men midway through the second half after defender Zakaria Hawsawi received a straight red card for violent conduct.

Al Buraikan’s strike made Al Ahli the first club to retain Asia’s top club trophy since city rivals Al Ittihad in 2005.

 

The victory books the Saudi Pro League side a spot in both the FIFA Intercontinental Cup later this year and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, the second edition of the expanded tournament won last summer by Premier League club Chelsea.

  

For the second straight year, Jeddah hosted the eight-team centralized finals of the competition, rebranded last season as the Asian Champions League Elite.

 

Al Ahli almost opened the scoring against debutants Machida in the 13th minute when Galeno, the knockout stage’s standout performer, broke clear of the Japanese defense. But the Brazilian’s effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Kosei Tani.

Three minutes before half-time, Al Ahli defender Merih Demiral saw his shot blocked on the line before his follow-up struck the Machida crossbar.

Al Ahli’s push for back-to-back titles took a hit in the 68th minute when Hawsawi headbutted Machida forward Tete Yengi, leaving the referee no choice but to show a straight red card.

Machida, aiming to be the first club since 2014 to win the Asian Champions League on debut, nearly made the man advantage count straight away. But Al Ahli keeper Edouard Mendy pushed Hiroyuki Mae’s long-range effort wide.

 

BACK-TO-BACK ASIAN KINGS! 👑👑

The Continent remains GREEN 🌍💚#AlAhli | #ACLElite | #LetsGoWithAlAhli pic.twitter.com/4QxHFBqKrx

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) April 25, 2026

The former Chelsea keeper, who lifted the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal earlier this year before they were stripped of the title, then kept out Yuki Soma.

As tempers flared, Al Ahli had Mohammed Abdulrahman sent off from the substitutes’ bench.

Still, Al Ahli found a breakthrough. Six minutes into extra time, Riyad Mahrez floated a cross to the far post, Franck Kessie accidentally teed it up, and Al Buraikan tapped in from close range. It was the first goal Machida had conceded in four knockout games.

Galeno had a late chance on the break but blasted over. It didn’t matter, as Matthias Jaissle’s side held on to secure back-to-back Asian titles.