Karim Benzema Scores Twice As Al-Ittihad Beat Al-Qadsiah To Win Saudi Cup

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Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 10:46 IST

Karim Benzema struck twice in a 3-1 win as Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Cup to complete domestic double.

Karim Benzema and his teammates pose with the championship trophy. (AFP Photo)

Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema scored twice, leading his team to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday, completing a domestic double.

Laurent Blanc’s side controlled the game to secure the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah ended the match with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute.

Moussa Diaby nearly gave Al-Ittihad the lead but missed a chance in the 21st minute.

Al-Qadsiah’s former Spanish defender Nacho avoided conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, as the referee did not award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute.

Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions by using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn’s precise cross 11 minutes before halftime.

Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema.

Al-Qadsiah’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time.

After the break, Benzema, the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar, but Al-Ittihad played cautiously to maintain their lead.

Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang’s shot in the 80th minute, and Al-Qadsiah suffered a major setback when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men in the final minutes.

Then, 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema scored his side’s third goal, firing in Diaby’s low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang’s shot hit the woodwork.

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