TAIF — In a stunning turn of events, the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League, Al-Ittihad of Jeddah, suffered a devastating blow in their quest for glory in the Arab Club Champions Cup. On a fateful Saturday, their hopes were shattered as their esteemed captain, Karim Benzema, failed to convert a pivotal penalty during the quarterfinals of the match. In a stunning turn of events, Al-Ittihad's hopes of clinching the highly coveted King Salman Cup for Arab Clubs were ruthlessly shattered as they succumbed to a resounding 3-1 loss against their arch-nemesis, Al-Hilal. The intense showdown unfolded at the illustrious King Fahd Stadium in Taif on a fateful Saturday, leaving Al-Ittihad and their devoted fans devastated. In a thrilling quarterfinal match held in Abha, the Iraqi football club Al-Shorta secured their spot in the semi-finals after a remarkable victory over Qatar's Al-Sadd. With a final score of 4-2, Al-Shorta showcased their prowess on the field, leaving their opponents in awe. This impressive triumph has propelled the Iraqi team one step closer to their ultimate goal of clinching the championship title. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Al-Ittihad emerged as the standout team in the regional tournament, securing an impeccable record by triumphing in all three group stage matches. Their exceptional performance was matched only by the reigning Arab Cup champions, Raja Casablanca from Morocco.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, their lofty aspirations came crashing down as they went head-to-head with Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated showdown, reminiscent of the renowned El Clasico rivalry in Saudi Arabia. Even with the addition of superstar players Fabinho, Jota, and Benzema to their already formidable squad, the team unexpectedly succumbed to Al-Hilal's overwhelming dominance. In a thrilling Saudi Clasico, it was former Lazio captain and Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who stole the spotlight as he propelled Al-Hilal to an early lead with a magnificent header. In a stunning display of skill and precision, he found the back of the net in the 14th minute of the match, capitalizing on a perfectly executed corner pass from none other than Ruben Neves.
In a remarkable display of skill and precision, Salem Al-Dawsari successfully converted a penalty kick, propelling Al-Hilal to a commanding 2-0 advantage. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Brazilian sensation Romarinho breathed new life into the hearts of Al-Ittihad supporters. With a mere 11 minutes elapsed in the second half, he managed to chip away at the deficit, igniting a glimmer of hope for his team. In a valiant effort to stage a comeback, their relentless fight was ultimately quashed as the former Barcelona prodigy, Malcom, delivered the decisive blow with a stunning third and final goal.
In the opening 10 minutes of the match, Al-Ittihad showcased their dominance as they relentlessly pursued a breakthrough goal. Their players launched a barrage of attacks on the opposing team's net, yet failed to pose any significant threat to goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf. In a thrilling match between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, it was the newcomer, Malcolm, who emerged as the hero. With the game hanging in the balance, Malcolm delivered a decisive blow in the 70th minute, securing a crucial victory for Al-Hilal. However, the tides could have turned in favor of Al-Ittihad, as Karim Benzema had an opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot. Unfortunately for Al-Ittihad, Benzema failed to convert the penalty kick, leaving them to rue a missed chance to salvage a result.
