In a high-stakes Saudi King's Cup clash brimming with star power, Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, securing a quarterfinal berth in dramatic fashion.
The match ignited early as Benzema, capitalizing on a swift counterattack orchestrated by Moussa Diaby, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with trademark composure. Al Nassr responded in the 31st minute through 19-year-old Brazilian forward Angelo Gabriel, whose clinical finish leveled the score.
Ronaldo nearly put Al Nassr ahead with a powerful long-range effort, but Al Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic parried the attempt. The turning point arrived just before halftime when Houssem Aouar timed his run perfectly to meet Mario Mitaj's incisive through-ball, slotting home to reclaim the lead.
Al Ittihad faced a stern test after Ahmed Al-Julaydan's 49th-minute red card for a dangerous challenge, but Al Nassr failed to capitalize. Ronaldo squandered a golden opportunity in the 68th minute, firing a tame chip directly at Rajkovic during a one-on-one.
The reigning Saudi Pro League champions showcased defensive resilience in the final stages, weathering relentless pressure to seal their progression. The result sets up an intriguing quarterfinal as Saudi football's global profile continues to rise.
