AFC Champions League Elite Semi-finals
Vissel Kobe 1 - 2 FT Al-Ahli Jeddah
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
31' Y. Muto (Y. Osako)
38' Y. Osako
45' Y. Goke
HT
46' ↓ Y. Goke ↑M. Hidaka
I. Toney 51'
M. Jaissle 60'
Galeno (E. Millot) 62'
69' ↓ M. Mitsuta ↑Jean Patric
↓ M. Demiral ↑F. Al Buraikan 69'
I. Toney 70'
73' M. Thuler
R. Mahrez 75'
79' ↓ G. Sakai ↑R. Komatsu
79' ↓ D. Sasaki ↑R. Hirose
R. Hamidou 83'
85' ↓ Y. Ideguchi ↑K. Hamasaki
↓ R. Mahrez ↑M. Abdulrahman 90'+4
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Vissel Kobe
Goalkeepers
Daiya Maekawa 
ARCHITECT
1
Key Passes
1
Key Passes
0
Assists
16%
Pass Acc
Defenders
Gotoku Sakai 
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Tetsushi Yamakawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thuler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Katsuya Nagato
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Yuta Goke
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Yosuke Ideguchi
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Yoshinori Muto 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Makoto Mitsuta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Daiju Sasaki 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
Yuya Osako 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.5
Rating
BENCH
Shuichi Gonda 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Rikuto Hirose
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kaito Yamada
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nanasei Iino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Caetano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Boniface Nduka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mitsuki Hidaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
49
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kento Hamasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takashi Inui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuya Kuwasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jean Patric
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ren Komatsu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Al-Ahli Jeddah
Goalkeepers
Edouard Mendy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Rayan Hamed
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Merih Demiral 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
86%
Duel Win %
Roger Ibañez 
ENFORCER
3
Tackles
3
Tackles
10
Duels Won
71%
Win %
Zakaria Hawsawi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Valentin Atangana Edoa 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Franck Kessie
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Riyad Mahrez
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
Enzo Millot
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
1
Assists
25%
Pass Acc
Wenderson Galeno
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Forwards
Ivan Toney 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
6.3
Rating
BENCH
Abdulrahman Al Sanbi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Abdullah Abdo
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Mohammed Abdulrahman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matteo Dams
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yazan Madani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mohammed Sulaiman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eid Al Muwallad
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ziyad Aljohani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Firas Al-Buraikan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Saleh Abu Al-Shamat
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matheus Gonçalves
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ricardo Mathias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Al-Ahli Overturn Deficit to Reach Continental Final
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 90/100. A relentless attacking siege erased an early shock to send Al-Ahli Jeddah into the ultimate continental showdown.
The Initial Shock
The semi-final atmosphere at Alinma Stadium carried an immense level of Stakes, with a single ticket to the championship match on the line. Expecting a cagey affair, the crowd was instead treated to a thrilling contest of contrasting styles. Al-Ahli Jeddah settled early, utilizing controlled possession to orchestrate deliberate moves through the midfield, but it was Vissel Kobe who delivered the first massive blow. Operating brilliantly against the run of play, the Japanese side capitalised on a swift transition. In the 31st minute, Y. Osako threaded a precise ball to Y. Muto, who finished with clinical precision to silence the local support. The visitors' defensive block held firm initially, forcing the hosts to rely on their goalkeeper's heroics as they clung to a slender lead heading into the break.
The Turning Tide
Emerging from the tunnel, the match's Intensity went completely off the charts as the Saudi giants initiated a ferocious attacking siege. Pushing forward with an aggressive line, they turned the final third into a shooting gallery, eventually out-shooting their opponents by a staggering margin of sixteen to five. The pressure was immense, but drama intervened when I. Toney saw a 51st-minute equaliser ruled out by VAR for offside. Rather than demoralise the squad, the setback only fueled the fire. The breakthrough finally arrived just past the hour mark. E. Millot orchestrated a brilliant move, teeing up Galeno who smashed the ball home to level the tie. The momentum had shifted permanently, leaving the away side desperately scrambling to plug the gaps in their crumbling defensive structure.
The Final Blow
With the Balance of the match firmly swinging towards the home side, a second goal felt inevitable. Ten minutes after the equaliser, Toney found his redemption, burying the decisive strike in the 70th minute to complete the comeback. The visitors tried to mount a late response, but their limited share of the ball left them isolated up front. Even a late VAR intervention that scratched off a goal by R. Mahrez for offside could not alter the destiny of this semi-final clash. Al-Ahli navigated the final tense moments flawlessly to run down the clock. When the final whistle echoed around Alinma Stadium, the celebrations were deafening. Al-Ahli progress to the final, while Kobe face a long journey home, their continental dreams shattered at the penultimate hurdle.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR heightened the drama, ruling out offside goals from Toney and Mahrez, forcing Al-Ahli to sustain their relentless attacking pressure to secure the victory.
How did Vissel Kobe complete the comeback from behind?
They did not. Vissel Kobe secured an early lead, but Al-Ahli Jeddah completed the actual comeback with two second-half goals to advance.
What does this mean for Vissel Kobe's season?
Elimination from this high-stakes semi-final ends their continental campaign, forcing them to refocus their efforts entirely on their domestic league title chase.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Final Ticket Up for Grabs as Kobe Meets Al-Ahli in Jeddah
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 81/100. With a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite final hanging in the balance, Al-Ahli's ruthless firepower collides with Vissel Kobe's stubborn defensive resolve in what promises to be an epic showdown.
The Setup
The Stakes could not be higher as Vissel Kobe and Al-Ahli Jeddah prepare to lock horns at the King Abdullah Sports City this April 20, 2026. This semi-final tie offers both sides a golden opportunity to cement their continental legacy. Al-Ahli enter the clash riding a massive wave of momentum, boasting a formidable Form rating after remaining undefeated in their last five fixtures. The Saudi giants know exactly how to dictate terms on the big stage. Vissel Kobe, however, are notoriously difficult to break down. The Japanese outfit bring an immense work rate and tactical discipline to the pitch, determined to silence the crowd and force their way into the ultimate title decider.
Key Battle
Vissel's veteran defensive stalwart Gotoku Sakai faces a truly monumental task against Al-Ahli's dynamic attacking threat Wenderson Galeno. Galeno has been tearing defenses apart on the flanks, using his explosive pace to stretch the pitch. Sakai's ability to read the game and deny space will heavily dictate the Balance of this semi-final clash. If Sakai neutralizes the wing, Kobe can confidently impose their tempo.
Our Prediction
We expect Al-Ahli Jeddah to emerge victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win. Vissel Kobe will undoubtedly make it difficult, keeping the game tight through the opening half. However, Al-Ahli's sheer depth of attacking talent should ultimately overwhelm the visitors in the closing stages. Look for an early breakthrough from the hosts, followed by a late, frantic finish as Kobe throw everything forward.