Benzema's double strike gives Ittihad the double
JEDDAH: Karim Benzema scored twice as Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Qadsiah 3-1 on Friday to lift the King Cup and complete the double after winning the Saudi Pro League title earlier in May.
At a delighted King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, the Frenchman scored in each half to give the Tigers another trophy to celebrate with their fans. It marked a 10th King Cup triumph for the club to go along with its 10th league success.
There was an explosion of goalmouth action in the closing stages of the first half. Al-Ittihad had been on top for much of the game but both teams had come close. Fans to wait until the 34th minute however to break the deadlock.
#King_Cup_Final
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) May 30, 2025
First, Benzema, who scored 21 league goals, did what he does best. Moussa Diaby freed Steven Bergwijn down the right and his cross was chested home by Benzema.
Then, after 43 minutes, Diaby floated a ball over from the right to Benzema at the far post and while the Frenchman's header was saved, there was Houssem Aouar to finish from close range.
Just when the Tigers were set to head back in at the break in a very good position, Al-Qadsiah were back in the game. Cameron Puertas was bundled over the box and up stepped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to send Predrag Rajkovic the wrong way.
After the restart, the next goal was always going to be crucial and though Al-Qadsiah pushed for an equaliser, it was Benzema who settled the tie and won the cup in added time after Qadsiah's Ezequiel Hernandez had been sent off for a second bookable offence.
Not for the first time in the game or the season, much of the good work was done by Diaby. The winger broke free on the left to put the ball across the goal for his fellow Frenchman to score from close range to seal the cup and the double with almost the last kick of a hugely successful –and long- season for Ittihad.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Five dead in Kuwait apartment block fire: official
KUWAIT: A fire in a residential building southwest of Kuwait City killed five people, the Gulf state's fire brigade said on blaze broke out in two apartments in the Rigga area, about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the capital, said spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed bodies were found at the scene and two more people died from their injuries in hospital, he told others were injured, and Gharib warned the death toll could rise due to the severity of some of the investigation has been launched into the cause.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan says Makkah Route Initiative to be extended to other cities for next year's Hajj
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Sunday that the Makkah Route Initiative facility will be extended to other cities of the country for next year's Hajj pilgrimage. The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. Yousaf met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Pakistan's religion ministry said on Sunday, to discuss Hajj 2025 arrangements in the Kingdom. 'The scope of the Road to Makkah project will be extended to other cities of Pakistan for the next (2026) Hajj,' Yousaf was quoted as saying by the ministry. He thanked the Saudi government for introducing 'innovations and new facilities' every year for the convenience of Hajj pilgrims, including those from Pakistan. 'The best facilities of food, transport and accommodation are being provided to Pakistani pilgrims,' Yousaf said. As per the Pakistani religion ministry, Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom would provide the best possible facilities to Pakistani pilgrims at Mina and Arafah. 'A large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan, it is an honor to serve them,' the Saudi minister was quoted as saying. This year, the Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan on Saturday successfully concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of this year's pilgrimage.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Syrian president arrives in Kuwait on official visit
CAIRO: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Sunday. 'Al-Sharaa is set to hold official talks with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in affirmation of Kuwait's steadfast support for Syria, its people, and its sovereignty,' read a statement on SANA News Agency. Al-Sharaa's visit to Kuwait aims to boost bilateral ties the two countries. Ties between Syria and Kuwait resumed last year, witnessing a notable revival when Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya visited Damascus on Dec. 30. Kuwait also launched the first flights of a humanitarian air bridge to Syria, to alleviate the suffering of Syrians, according to KUNA News Agency. Kuwait, joining other GCC member states, has underscored its unwavering support for Syria's unity and sovereignty. Al-Sharaa had previously visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on his Gulf tour.
