Al Ahli defeated Al Hilal 3-1 in a semifinal match of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday, securing a place in Saturday's final.
Roberto Firmino opened the scoring for Al Ahli in the ninth minute. Ivan Toney doubled the lead in the 27th minute after a VAR review confirmed the goal.
Salem Al-Dawsari pulled a goal back for Al Hilal three minutes before halftime.
Al Hilal went down to 10 men in the 59th minute when defender Kalidou Koulibaly received a second yellow card.
Al Ahli had chances to extend their lead earlier in the second half. Franck Kessié missed an 85th-minute penalty, saved by Yassine Bounou.
Substitute Feras Al-Brikan scored Al Ahli's third goal in the seventh minute of added time, confirming the victory at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Both teams are from the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ahli will compete for their first continental title. They previously lost in the final in 1986 and 2012.
The opponent in the final will be the winner of the other semifinal between Al Nassr and Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, scheduled for Wednesday.
Matthias Jaissle, Al Ahli's manager, commented on his players.
"I have a lot of players in the squad who are first and foremost fantastic players, but also fantastic human beings, so it's hard to single out anyone. Overall, we have a very good group, we're trying to build that team spirit more and more. I'm proud of the guys. It's a pleasure and I really enjoy working with them."
