Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to become the first Saudi team to win the second AFC Champions League, as Denise Hammett’s 30th-minute goal gave visiting Japanese team Gamba Osaka victory in the final match at King Saud University Stadium.
Former Turkish youth international Hamit collected Essam Jebali’s pass inside the box, then turned and sent a low shot into the corner of the net to seal the match, which saw Ronaldo, fellow Portuguese striker Joao Felix and two-time African Footballer Sadio Mane miss out on victory.
โIt’s amazing to bring this title to Gamba and our supporters,โ Hammett said. โAll my teammates did a fantastic job today, along with everyone at this club.โ
They had traveled thousands of miles for this moment!
Less than 30 minutes stand between Gamba Osaka and eternity. Can they control their temper?
Watch ๐๐๐๐ ๐ https://t.co/1axF0y0LCP#ACLTwoFinal | #NSRvGAM pic.twitter.com/vjICeLEJdT
โ #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) May 16, 2026
Second AFC Champions League Final: Hammett beats Ronaldo
About 100 Gamba fans made the round trip of nearly 17,000 miles to see their team become the first Japanese winners of the cup.
โThank you everyone for the amazing support we have had,โ Hammett said. โI am very proud to be a member of this family.
“Since the day I came here, they have been amazing. It’s incredible to give them this title. Now it’s time to celebrate and have fun.”
Mane was among the Al-Nasr players who appeared pensive as they awaited the cup ceremony on the field, while Ronaldo’s fiancรฉe, Georgina Rodriguez, was seen watching from a box at Al-Nasr Stadium.
What’s next for Al Nasr? Matches and schedule
Outgoing Al-Nasr coach, Jorge Jesus, could still have a memorable end to his career at the club despite this upset. AFC Champions League defeat.
Al-Nasr is two points clear of Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Professional League before hosting Damac, which is two points above the relegation zone, in its final match on Thursday (21:00 GMT / 16:00 ET / 13:00 PT).
Al-Hilal visits Al-Fayhaa, who are certain to finish ninth and twelfth, in their simultaneous final match, where they must win and hope that Al-Nasr does not achieve that.
Saudi equalizers give priority to direct records between differenceWhich will give Al-Hilal the title if the first two are tied in points, because they obtained four points from Al-Nasr this season.
