Both teams were aiming for an unprecedented fourth triumph but it was the hosts who made history with Al-Dawsari and Moussa Marega on target at the King Fahd International Stadium in the Saudi capital.

Al Hilal's victory came a year after they suffered the ignominy of being thrown out of the event following numerous cases of Covid-19 infections within their squad. But on Tuesday night those bitter memories were banished as the Saudi giants dominated their opponents in front of 50,000 fans.

Al-Dawsari sent the crowd into raptures with a fantastic strike from over 25 yards out after just 16 seconds. The Pohang midfield failed to clear the ball, allowing al-Dawsari space and the 22-year-old's thundering left-foot shot found the top corner of the net despite Pohang goalkeeper Lee Jun's despairing dive.