Al Ittihad Stuns Al Nassr in King's Cup Thriller

Saudi Arabia – October 29, 2025 – Al Ittihad pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Al Nassr in the Saudi King's Cup Round of 16, eliminating their rivals in a fiercely contested match at Al-Awwal Park on Tuesday. The clash showcased a captivating battle between former Real Madrid teammates Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, now captains of opposing sides.

Benzema opened the scoring for Al Ittihad in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a well-orchestrated move. The lead was doubled just before halftime when Houssem Aouar struck in the 45+2' minute, securing a crucial advantage. Al Nassr fought back in the second half, with Fawaz Al-Julaydan pulling one back in the 49th minute, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit. The match took a turn when Al-Julaydan received a red card, leaving Al Nassr with ten men, yet they couldn’t find an equalizer.

The result extends Al Nassr’s King’s Cup drought, with their last title dating back to 1990. For Al Ittihad, the win marks a significant step toward the quarterfinals, fueled by Benzema’s experience and Aouar’s match-winning contribution. The defeat adds pressure on Al Nassr as they shift focus to the Saudi Pro League.