In a high-stakes clash under the Riyadh lights, Karim Benzema stole the show as Al Ittihad snatched a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, booking their spot in the King's Cup quarterfinals.
The action kicked off in the 15th minute when Moussa Diaby darted down the flank on a quick counter, setting up Benzema for a cool finish past the goalkeeper. The lead lasted only 15 minutes before 18-year-old Angelo Gabriel unleashed a stunning strike from inside the box to level the score.
With the momentum shifting, both sides traded chances. Ronaldo tested Predrag Rajkovic with a powerful long-range effort, but it was Houssem Aouar who made the decisive impact, following a slick through-ball from Mario Mitaj to restore Al Ittihad's advantage just before halftime.
The second half brought drama when Ahmed Al-Julaydan was sent off in the 49th minute for a dangerous high kick, reducing Al Ittihad to ten men. Al Nassr piled on the pressure, and Ronaldo came close with a one-on-one miss that ricocheted back off Rajkovic's chest.
Despite the numerical disadvantage and intense late pressure, Al Ittihad held firm, showcasing defensive grit and tactical discipline to secure a memorable victory and advance to the last eight of the Saudi King's Cup.
Looking ahead, Al Ittihad will gear up for a challenging quarterfinal as they aim to keep their cup dreams alive.
Reference(s):
Benzema shines as Al Ittihad edge Al Nassr in Saudi King's Cup
cgtn.com
