Al Hilal defeated Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League, recording their 28th consecutive win.
Saudi Arabian football club Al Hilal defeated Al Ittihad 2-0, winning 28 consecutive games and advancing to the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League, setting a world record for a top team.
Tuesday night's match, held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, was the second quarter-final match between the two city rivals. Al Hilal won the first leg of the quarterfinals by the same score, moving up 4-0 on aggregate.
The 18-time Saudi Arabian champions broke the previously recognized record of 27 consecutive wins set by New Saints in the 2016-17 season. The Welsh team inherited Mark from the great Johan Cruyff-inspired Ajax team of 1971-72.
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said: “Everyone at Al Hilal is delighted to have achieved 28 consecutive wins, a record in world football.''
“This is a truly incredible achievement and I would like to thank everyone at the club who contributed to this momentous winning record.”
🔝Longest winning streak in soccer history achieved #alhilalName…Asia's leader record continues 💙 pic.twitter.com/WSic05SM4W
— Alhilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) March 12, 2024
Al Hilal are having a strong season after being effectively nationalized by Saudi Arabia's state-backed asset management company, the Public Investment Fund, with the club spending around $380 million on player transfers.
The last time the team did not win was on September 21, when they drew 1-1 with league rivals Damac.
Al Hilal, who are already four-time Asian champions, are 12 points clear at the top of the Saudi Professional League.
“But as I have said throughout this period, records are not as important as trophies,” Jesus said.
“It is up to everyone at Al Hilal to finish the season as Roshun Saudi League champions and achieve our goals in the cup competition. Only then can we truly celebrate.”
Second-half goals from Yasser Alshaharani and Brazilian winger Malcom sealed Al Ittihad's victory, but striker Abderrazzak Hamdallah was sent off in the final stages of the game.
Al Hilal will face Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates in the semi-finals in April. Al Ain defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's side on penalties on Monday, eliminating Al Nasr.
In the East region, Ulsan HD won the second round of the all-Korean competition against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0, advancing to the top four.
The first leg ended 1-1, but Ulsan, the 2012 and 2020 champions, won 2-1 on aggregate thanks to Seol Young-woo's goal.
Ulsan will face Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos or China's Shandong Taishan in the semifinals.
Last 8️⃣ #ACL is set!
Here are the quarterfinalists 👏 pic.twitter.com/y05jiCmwaS
— #ACL (@TheAFCCL) February 22, 2024
