In a stunning display of dominance, Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) crushed Guangzhou FC (South Korea) 7-0 in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) on April 25, 2025, at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This emphatic victory not only showcased Al Hilal's attacking prowess but also secured their place in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Al Ahli and Buriram United.
From the opening whistle, Al Hilal made their intentions clear. Just six minutes into the match, Saudi Arabian forward Salem Al-Dawsari delivered a pinpoint corner kick that Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić met with a powerful header, giving Al Hilal an early lead. The goal set the tone for what would be a relentless offensive display from the home side.
As the first half progressed, Al Hilal continued to apply pressure. In the 25th minute, Brazilian forward Malcom broke through the right side after a well-executed long one-two play, delivering a cross that was expertly finished by Marcos Leonardo, extending the lead to 2-0. Just eight minutes later, in the 33rd minute, Al-Dawsari again found the net, this time capitalizing on a counterattack. He dribbled past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation, putting Al Hilal firmly in control with a 3-0 advantage heading into halftime.
However, the match was not without its challenges for Al Hilal. Near the end of the first half, João Cancelo suffered a hamstring injury and was forced to leave the pitch, replaced by former Saudi Arabian international Yasser Al-Shahrani. Despite this setback, Al Hilal's momentum remained unshaken as they entered the second half.
Al Hilal wasted no time in adding to their tally after the break. In the 55th minute, Milinković-Savić was involved again, combining with Al-Shahrani before sending a cross into the box. Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrović unleashed a powerful volley, marking the fourth goal of the night. The crowd erupted as the team continued to showcase their attacking flair.
The relentless assault did not stop there. In the 79th minute, Malcom found the back of the net, followed by Nasser Al-Dawsari, who scored in the 84th minute, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who capped off the scoring in the 88th minute with a well-placed shot. With each goal, Al Hilal's confidence surged, and the final score of 7-0 left Guangzhou FC reeling.
Defensively, Al Hilal was equally impressive. The backline, anchored by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and defenders Hassan Tambakti and Renan Lodi, ensured a clean sheet against a Guangzhou side that had previously shown promise by defeating Vissel Kobe in the Round of 16.
This match not only highlighted Al Hilal's strength as they aim for their fifth Asian title but also underscored the team's depth and skill, even in the absence of their Brazilian superstar Neymar, who returned to Brazil earlier this year. The standout performance from Al-Dawsari, who was named the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, was particularly noteworthy as he played a crucial role in the team's offensive onslaught.
As the dust settles on this remarkable victory, Al Hilal's sights are now set on the semifinals. They will face either Al Ahli or Buriram United on April 29, 2025, with fans eager to see if they can continue their march towards the championship.
The ACLE has proven to be a thrilling tournament thus far, and Al Hilal's performance against Guangzhou FC has set a high bar for the remaining teams. With the semifinals approaching, the excitement is palpable, and fans around the region are left wondering if Al Hilal can maintain their momentum and claim yet another prestigious title.
