Al-Ittihad secured a 2-1 victory over Al Nassr in the King’s Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday, despite playing much of the match with ten men. Star forward Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 15th minute, giving Al‑Ittihad an early lead. Al Nassr’s Angelo Gabriel equalised at the half‑hour mark, but Hossam Aouar restored the advantage in first‑half stoppage time, making it 2-1.
In the second half Al Nassr, boasting a potent attacking line that includes João Félix, Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo, pressed hard for an equaliser, yet Al‑Ittihad’s defence held firm. The win advances Al‑Ittihad to the next round of the King’s Cup, a key competition in the Saudi Arabian football calendar, and underscores the team’s resilience.
After the match Benzema posted a celebratory photo, writing, “Big win tonight… Important for the team and our fans. When we talk, we do.” In a post‑match interview he described the victory as hard‑won, praising his side’s determination from the start and their adherence to the coach’s instructions. The goal marked Benzema’s fourth of the season for Al‑Ittihad in just seven appearances, and the team will look to build on this momentum in upcoming fixtures, positioning themselves as a strong contender for the remainder of the tournament.
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