African champions Sundowns picked up the African-Asian-Pacific Cup portion of the competition in another triumph for their coach Miguel Cardoso.
Sundowns advance to meet the winner of the Derby of the Americas between Mexican side Toluca and an as-yet unnamed South American team.
The winner of that tie, known as the Challenger Cup, advances to meet European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
The home side took the lead on 17 minutes and it came from an unlikely source – the head of Nuno Santos.
A corner was played out to Teboho Mokoena, whose excellent in-swinging cross into the box was met by the Portuguese midfielder, who headed into the top corner, beating Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
It had been a quiet start to the campaign for Santos, whose last goal came in May against Polokwane City.
He netted five goals and provided 11 assists last season, but this was his first goal contribution of the 2026/27 campaign.
But two minutes later, the Saudis were level after Ivan Toney broke down the left. His low cross was perfect for Firas Al Buraikan. His shot was saved by Ronwen Williams in the home goal, but the ball deflected back off the side of his head and trickled into the net.
It is not the first own goal for the Bafana Bafana skipper this season and there will be some concern that his form has taken a dip since the World Cup.
Al Ahli should have made it 2-1 when a superb move ended with Toney feeding Trincao, but the Portuguese forward curled his effort wide of the target.
Sundowns received a big let-off when Toney was brought down clumsily by Williams after he had broken free. The referee correctly pointed to the penalty spot, but it was then revealed that Toney was offside.
Khulumani Ndamane should have put Sundowns back into the lead midway through the second half when he steered Aubrey Modiba’s free-kick over the bar from close range.
The home side did get the winner and it came on 80 minutes, with another header from Santos.
Debutant Thabang Matuludi’s cross was expertly met by Santos with a diving header.
PSG, the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup champions, received $5 million for their win last season, while runners-up Flamengo from Brazil received $4 million.
Pyramids FC, eliminated in the Challenger Cup, received $2 million.