Al-Ittihad Claims Victory Over Al-Nassr in Thrilling King’s Cup Clash

Al-Ittihad delivered a statement victory over rivals Al-Nassr FC in a pulsating King’s Cup Round of 16 encounter at Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, on October 28, 2025. In a night drenched in drama and high stakes, it was Karim Benzema who shone brightest, firing Al-Ittihad ahead and setting the stage for a breathless clash between Saudi Arabia’s footballing titans. Under the floodlights, anticipation reached fever pitch as global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema took center stage. With the stands crackling with energy, the opening whistle unleashed a torrent of action. Al-Nassr, fielding an attacking lineup featuring Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, João Félix, and Kingsley Coman, immediately pressed for dominance, but it was Al-Ittihad who struck first. Moussa Diaby, all blistering pace and intent, surged down the flank before teeing up Benzema, who coolly slotted home the opener, silencing the home crowd and sending the visiting supporters into delirium. Al-Nassr, spurred on by their passionate fans and the talismanic Ronaldo, refused to wilt. Their response was swift: Ronaldo, finding space on the left, delivered a perfectly weighted cross that found Angelo Gabriel, who poked home the equalizer to restore parity. The stadium erupted, the tension palpable, as both sides traded attacks in a relentless battle for supremacy. But on the cusp of halftime, Al-Ittihad struck a decisive blow. Houssem Aouar, ghosting in unmarked, capitalized on a high defensive line to fire past Bento Krepski, sending Al-Ittihad into the break with a precious 2-1 advantage. The second half brought yet more drama—hard tackles, heated exchanges, and tactical chess from both benches. Jorge Jesus, Al-Nassr’s animated manager, shuffled his pack, introducing Wesley Ribeiro and Marcelo Brozovic in search of an elusive equalizer. Ronaldo had his moments, including a trademark free-kick that sailed agonizingly over, and another opportunity where he was denied one-on-one by Al-Ittihad’s resolute keeper, Predrag Rajković. As stoppage time ticked away—six nerve-shredding minutes—the match reached a crescendo. Al-Nassr poured forward, but Al-Ittihad’s defense stood tall, repelling wave after wave of pressure. Moussa Diaby’s late foul gifted Ronaldo one last chance, but the final whistle brought elation for Al-Ittihad and heartbreak for Al-Nassr: 2-1, full time. This result propels Al-Ittihad a step closer to King’s Cup glory, while Al-Nassr, despite their star-studded roster and attacking flair, are left to ponder what might have been. The head-to-head record between these giants continues to tilt in Al-Ittihad’s favor, deepening one of Saudi football’s fiercest rivalries. For fans craving every pulse of this dramatic night, detailed stats, live commentary, and full lineups can be found on FotMob. With both teams boasting illustrious histories and world-class talent, this King’s Cup showdown only adds more fuel to a rivalry that defines Saudi football’s modern era. As the dust settles over Al-Awwal Park, one thing is certain: the passion, drama, and spectacle of Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad continues to captivate the footballing world.