Al Hilal Knocked Out by Benzema and Al Ittihad in Cup Thriller
Al Hilal suffers a dramatic defeat to Al Ittihad in the Saudi King's Cup quarterfinals, losing 3-1 in a penalty shootout despite Karim Benzema’s brilliance.
In a high-stakes quarterfinal clash of the Saudi King’s Cup, Al Hilal faced elimination at the hands of Al Ittihad after a dramatic penalty shootout. The match, held at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, ended 2-2 after extra time before Al Ittihad triumphed 3-1 in penalties, thanks to an extraordinary performance by their Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
First-Half Action
The first half saw intense action but no goals. Al Hilal started aggressively, with Salem Al-Dawsari testing Rajkovic in the 16th minute. Al Ittihad responded through Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, whose solo effort narrowly missed the target. Karim Benzema had multiple opportunities, including a disallowed goal for offside, but stellar saves by Yassine Bounou kept the game level at halftime.
Goals and Drama in the Second Half
The deadlock was broken in the 63rd minute when Al Ittihad's Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti delivered a precise cross, leading to a headed goal. Al Hilal equalized soon after with a well-placed strike by Abdullah Al-Hamdan. In extra time, both teams added one goal each, setting up a nail-biting penalty shootout.
Rajkovic's Heroics
In the shootout, Predrag Rajkovic emerged as the hero, saving three of Al Hilal's penalties. His performance sealed Al Ittihad's spot in the semifinals and ended Al Hilal’s hopes of securing their first trophy of the season.
Post-Match Reactions
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus expressed disappointment, stating, "We created many chances but failed to capitalize." Benzema, despite his exceptional efforts, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings: "It’s a tough loss, but we must focus on upcoming challenges."
Looking Ahead
Al Hilal will now turn their attention to the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League, while Al Ittihad gears up for the semifinals with newfound momentum.
Neymar Returns for Al Hilal's Clash Against Benzema's Al Ittihad
Neymar is set to make a surprising return for Al Hilal in their critical match against Al Ittihad in the Saudi King's Cup quarterfinals.
Benzema: Fighting Spirit Was Key Against Al Hilal
Karim Benzema credits Al Ittihad’s determination for their dramatic King’s Cup victory over Al Hilal, highlighting the importance of relentless effort.
Neymar Aims for Club World Cup Glory with Al Hilal
Currently recovering from injury, Neymar has expressed his ambition to lead Al Hilal to victory in the Club World Cup, highlighting his commitment to the Saudi club's success.
Al Hilal Gears Up for Club World Cup with Full Arsenal
Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal is set to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 without restrictions on foreign players, aiming to strengthen their squad with additional star signings.
Benzema Wins Al-Ittihad Fans' Hearts After Stellar Play
Karim Benzema has transformed his image at Al-Ittihad, delivering exceptional performances and earning admiration from fans and teammates alike.
Jorge Jesus: Al Hilal Dominated Despite King’s Cup Exit
Jorge Jesus defends his players after Al Hilal’s penalty shootout loss to Al Ittihad, emphasizing his team’s superior performance throughout the match.
Saudi Arabia Announces Final Squad for Gulf Cup, Excludes Al Hilal Goalkeeper
Saudi Arabia's coach Herve Renard announced the final 26-player squad for the Gulf Cup, excluding Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al Rubaie to meet competition regulations.
Al Hilal Legend: 'Glad Conceicao Didn’t Join Al Nassr'
Sami Al Jaber, Al Hilal legend, expresses relief that Sergio Conceicao did not take over as Al Nassr’s manager, highlighting his recent triumph with AC Milan.
