RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) – In a stunning display of football prowess, four-time champions Al Hilal have secured their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals with an emphatic 7-0 victory over South Korea’s Gwangju FC on Friday night at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The match marked the opening of the inaugural AFC Champions League Elite Finals, where the continent's top eight teams compete for glory in a centralized location.
Al Hilal, who began their campaign featuring Brazilian superstar Neymar before his return to Santos in February, showcased their dominance throughout the match, with standout performances from players like Salem Al-Dawsari, who was named the 2022 Asian Footballer of the Year.
The Saudi champions wasted no time asserting their control, taking the lead just six minutes into the match. Following a corner taken by Al-Dawsari, former Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic rose above the Gwangju defense to power a header past goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-Min. The early goal set the tone for a relentless assault on the Gwangju goal.
Al Hilal doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Brazilian winger Malcom cut the ball back for fellow countryman Marcos Leonardo, who calmly slotted his shot into the bottom corner, leaving Kim with little chance. Just eight minutes later, Leonardo turned from scorer to provider, sending Al-Dawsari through on goal. The Saudi captain displayed his clinical finishing skills, sliding a low shot into the net to make it 3-0 before halftime. This goal brought Al-Dawsari’s tournament total to nine, tying him as the joint-top scorer alongside Gwangju’s Albanian winger Jasir Asani.
However, the only blemish on Al Hilal's performance came just before the halftime break when Joao Cancelo, a treble-winner with Manchester City, was forced to leave the pitch due to what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
As the second half commenced, Al Hilal continued to dominate. In the 55th minute, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has battled injuries this season, found the back of the net. Milinkovic-Savic delivered a precise cross, and Mitrovic made no mistake, side-footing the ball home to extend the lead to 4-0.
Malcom added the fifth goal in the 78th minute, exchanging passes with Mitrovic before slotting past Kim. Substitute Nasser Al-Dawsari then scored the sixth with a deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area, showcasing the team’s depth and attacking prowess. Abdullah Al-Hamdan capped off the scoring with a powerful strike from distance just three minutes later, sealing the 7-0 rout.
With this victory, Al Hilal not only advances to the semi-finals but also sends a strong message to their rivals. They will face the winner of the quarter-final clash between fellow Saudi club Al Ahli and Thailand’s Buriram United, which is set to take place on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Al Nassr, another Saudi team, will also be in action on Saturday as they take on last year’s runners-up, Yokohama F-Marinos, at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City. The Japanese side recently underwent a managerial change, with Patrick Kisnorbo stepping in as interim head coach after the departure of ex-England assistant manager Steve Holland.
As the tournament progresses, Al Hilal’s impressive performance has positioned them as strong contenders for the title, aiming for a record-extending fifth Asian title. With their next match set for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, anticipation builds as fans eagerly await to see if Al Hilal can continue their remarkable run in this prestigious competition.
