Despite the presence of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Al Nassr's lineup, Gamba Osaka delivered a courageous away performance to win 1-0 in the AFC Champions League 2 final held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday evening.
The victory marks Gamba Osaka's second continental title in club history, following their 2008 AFC Champions League triumph (the predecessor of the current ACL2). It is also the first ACL2 title for a Japanese club since the tournament was restructured.
The match was tense from the opening minutes. Al Nassr, buoyed by home advantage and Ronaldo's leadership, applied heavy pressure on Gamba's goalkeeper. However, the visitors' defense remained focused and disciplined, neutralizing all attacking moves.
In the 34th minute, Gamba Osaka took a surprise lead. From a quick counterattack down the right flank, a Japanese midfielder delivered a precise pass into the box, allowing a striker to finish with a sharp shot past the Al Nassr keeper. The goal stunned the hosts, who struggled to regain their rhythm.
In the second half, Al Nassr pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Ronaldo had several dangerous chances, but his efforts were either superbly saved by the Gamba goalkeeper or missed the target. Gamba Osaka maintained a compact defensive shape, looking for counterattacking opportunities.
Al Nassr's late pressure failed to produce a goal. After 90 minutes, Gamba Osaka secured a 1-0 victory to become the 2026 ACL2 champions, bringing great joy to Japanese football fans. This is the first time a Japanese club has won the tournament since it was renamed from the AFC Cup.
