00:00The stage is set for a colossal game in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals.
00:08Presented by Neom, more than 50,000 fans in attendance for an all-Saudi semi-final between Al-Hilal and Al-Akhli.
00:16Al-Hilal, the four-time Asian champions led by George Jesus, they sailed past Gwangju in the previous round.
00:22There was one downside from their runaway 7-0 win, though.
00:25An injury to right-back João Cancelo, who misses out today.
00:28Matthias Jaisler's Al-Akhli are based here in Jeddah, so they have a home advantage of sorts at the King Abdullah Sports City.
00:35Firmino, Galeno and Mahrez were the three scorers in their win over Buriram United in the quarters.
00:40They begin again as the attacking midfield trio.
00:44Al-Akhli, they have it with Ibanez.
00:46Two of his defensive colleagues have already been booked.
00:48He sent it through towards Wenderson, Galeno, and it comes back in for Firmino.
00:531-0 Al-Akhli inside 10 minutes in the semi-final.
00:58The early goal goes Al-Akhli's way.
01:03Firmino will send it into the box towards Franchesier, who's got around the corner.
01:09Yassine Bruno with a great save.
01:13Al-Akhli on top in the early stages, despite not having too much of the ball.
01:17They've made the most of the possession that they have had.
01:19Nice flick from Toni to keep the move going down the left-hand side.
01:25Now Mahrez slips the pass through for Toni!
01:28Great move!
01:29And he slips it over the line!
01:32Tremendous finish, but was he onside?
01:34Henan Lodz on the far side, just about plays him on.
01:39He's dropped the shoulder to outfox Yassine Bruno, which is no easy feat.
01:43And it's 2-0.
01:46Al-Hilal coming forwards.
01:48They try and find a way back into the game.
01:49Al-Dosseri!
01:51Emphatic finish for Al-Hilal.
01:54And they are back in this.
01:56His 10th goal of the AFC campaign.
01:59And it's game on before half-time.
02:01The final minutes of the half got a bit scrappy.
02:04But at the break, it's Al-Akhli who have the lead.
02:07Al-Akhli have been thwarted by the offside flag twice already today.
02:11That is a hefty challenge.
02:14Koulibaly will see a second yellow card.
02:17And he is off, rightly so.
02:20Kayo looked so upset as he's come on and been taken off for Al-Hilal in the game.
02:25But it's all Al-Akhli right now.
02:27Al-Akhli, Firmino, off the post.
02:30And Mahrez with the follow-up onto the post too.
02:34Incredible stuff.
02:35Al-Akhli just can't kill the game off here.
02:41Al-Akhli, Al-Akhli going forward yet again.
02:45Wenderson, Galeno, and it's the post one more time.
02:48That far post has been Al-Hilal's best player in the last few minutes.
02:53Their hopes are still alive.
02:54There was a four and three break.
02:58Mahrez went down under the challenge of Hamad Al-Yemi.
03:02And the VAR decision is penalty.
03:06From Kessier to take.
03:07A bit of a surprise with Ivan Toni on the field.
03:10Kessier from the sport.
03:12And it's saved.
03:14Brilliant keeping from Bono.
03:17Kessier denied.
03:19Is this just somehow meant to be for Al-Hilal, you wonder?
03:22They would still need to score, of course.
03:26Al-Akhli going forward.
03:27The deflected shot.
03:28Falls for Firaz Al-Bureykan.
03:31And that will win it for Al-Akhli.
03:35He's only just come on.
03:36But he's kept his cool in front of goal.
03:39And it is Al-Akhli who are going to the Champions League final.
03:43It wasn't a disciplined performance from Al-Hilal.
03:46The red card didn't help.
03:47But ultimately, Al-Akhli were just too strong on the day.
03:50Matthias Gaisler and his side can enjoy the moment.
03:53And look forward to the final on the 3rd of May.
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