2024–25 AFC Champions League Final

Match and Organization Information

The 2024–25 AFC Champions League Final was the first final match under the tournament’s new “Elite” format. The match took place on 3 May 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In the final, Saudi Arabia’s representative Al Ahli faced Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale. The match kicked off at 21:00 and was watched by approximately 62,000 spectators in the stands.

Match Progress and Score

Al Ahli won the match 2–0, securing their first AFC Champions League title in the club’s history. The opening goal was scored in the 35th minute by Galeno. Al Ahli capitalized on a defensive error by Kawasaki and took the lead with a precise shot from inside the penalty area. The second goal was scored in the 42nd minute by Franck Kessié, who doubled the lead with a powerful strike from just outside the penalty arc.

Neither team scored in the second half. Al Ahli focused on preserving their lead, while Kawasaki Frontale, despite dominating possession, failed to create meaningful attacking opportunities. Throughout the match, Al Ahli maintained disciplined play, with their defensive line committing no individual errors.

Al-Ahli players (AA) celebrating after the goal

Merih Demiral’s Contribution and Historic Achievement

Turkish footballer Merih Demiral, who was part of Al Ahli’s squad, started the final and played the full 90 minutes. Throughout the tournament, Demiral served as a key member of the defensive line. With this title, he became the first Turkish footballer to win the AFC Champions League. He also played the full 90 minutes in the semifinal against Al Hilal, drawing attention for his success in aerial duels and one-on-one challenges.

Demiral achieving this success in his first season marks a historic first for Turkish football at the continental level. Most of the other players in Al Ahli’s squad were making their first appearance in a final of this tournament.

Opponent Team: Kawasaki Frontale

Japan’s representative, Kawasaki Frontale, delivered a consistent performance throughout the tournament until the final. They topped their group in the preliminary stage and advanced to the final by eliminating opponents in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Despite possessing more of the ball in the final, they failed to create clear scoring opportunities against the opposing goal. Their inability to respond to the two goals conceded in the first half allowed Al Ahli to gain control of the match for the remainder of the game.

Although Kawasaki Frontale’s coaching staff attempted to strengthen their attack with substitutions in the second half, organizational flaws in defense could not be remedied. At the final whistle, Kawasaki Frontale suffered another defeat in their second AFC final appearance in club history.

Significance of the Final and Tournament Scope

This final match held significance as the first under the AFC’s newly announced “Champions League Elite” system introduced in 2024. Changes to the tournament format included stricter qualification criteria, enhanced financial oversight, and a restructuring of broadcasting revenues. The new structure aimed to ensure that teams reaching the final met both sporting and institutional standards.

Al Ahli’s championship signaled the continued strengthening of Saudi Arabian football at the continental level, while Kawasaki Frontale’s performance demonstrated the resilience of Japanese football’s technical foundation. The tournament officially concluded with this final match, and the championship trophy was presented to Al Ahli’s captain, Roberto Firmino.

The trophy raised by captain Roberto Firmino and the team’s celebration (ESPN)