Odion Ighalo’s Al-Hilal miss Club World Cup ticket after Asian Champions League final loss

Al-Hilal were dethroned as holders by an own-goal from Andre Carrillo which handed Urawa Red Diamonds a slim triumph in the second leg of their ACL final which was enough to ensure Urawa’s 2-1 win on aggregate.

Despite featuring for 90 minutes in both legs of the final, Ighalo was unable to find the back of the net as Al-Hilal succumbed to an upset against the Japanese side, despite arguably being the better side over the two matches.

Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the final in Riyadh last week, Urawa Red Diamonds secured a narrow 1-0 win in the second leg, despite not firing a shot on target in the return fixture in Saitama.

It was Urawa Red Diamonds’ third Asian Champions League crown after winning the tournament in 2007 and 2017.

Urawa Red Diamonds will now represent Asia in the next FIFA Club World Cup.

However, Ighalo and his Al-Hilal team can still end the season on a high despite the loss as they are also due to play the final of the Saudi King’s Cup, their third cup final of the current season.

Ighalo has seven goals in eight Champions League games but surprisingly failed to score over the two legs despite finishing the competition as the top goal scorer.

The 33-year-old moved to Al Hilal from fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab in January and has since become the league top goalscorer with 18 goals from 22 games, surpassing his feat last term, when he hit 12 goals in 13 games.