Japan vs China in the final
Asian youth soccer is at its peak in Jeddah. China PR, thanks to goals by Shuai Weihao and Xie Jin against Australia, returns to a U-17 continental final after 22 years, demonstrating the progress of its youth development program. Japan, meanwhile, defeated Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and is seeking its fifth title in the category.
This afternoon’s final in Saudi Arabia promises a clash of styles: China’s defensive solidity against Japan’s technical skill and speed. Players like Kitahara (Japan) and Zhou (China) have stood out in the lead-up to the match. The tournament, hosted in Saudi Arabia, serves as a key qualifier for the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo wins his first league in Saudi Arabia
On a historic night at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Al-Nassr ended a seven-year title drought and handed Cristiano Ronaldo his first Saudi league title. The 41-year-old Portuguese star was decisive with a brace that boosted his goal tally for the season and allowed him to celebrate his fourth league title in four different countries (England, Spain, Italy, and now Saudi Arabia).
The match against Damac began with the home side dominating. Mané opened the scoring early, Coman extended the lead, and Ronaldo sealed the victory with goals in the second half. Al-Hilal, undefeated in the league but second with 84 points, could not catch up. This success validates the club’s investment and Jorge Jesus’s project, which transformed a talented team into champions. For Ronaldo, it represents a personal milestone after years of adapting to Asian soccer. Celebrations flooded Riyadh with chants and fireworks. Al-Nassr qualifies directly for the AFC Champions League Elite, while Damac is relegated to the Saudi First Division. An epic finale to the 2025/26 season.