Al-Ittihad Advances to Saudi Arabia Division 1 Super Cup Final Led by Benzema Brilliance

Al-Ittihad, under Marcelo Gallardo’s guidance, clinched a 2-1 victory over Al-Wehda, securing a spot in the final of the Saudi Arabia Division 1 Super Cup. Despite their dominance, Gallardo’s squad struggled with finishing, leaving room for improvement. Nonetheless, this triumph injects confidence into the Jeddah-based team, which lags behind in the Saudi Pro League title race.

The decisive match will pit them against Neymar’s Al Hilal, who overcame Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr 2-1. Notably, Ronaldo’s exit came after receiving a red card for a contentious elbow and subsequent confrontation with the referee.

Karim Benzema emerged as the hero for Gallardo’s side, breaking a 115-day goal drought with a stunning strike just 55 seconds into the game. His reminiscent brilliance from his Real Madrid days earned Al-Ittihad a vital lead. The 36-year-old French forward has now tallied 12 goals and 8 assists in 26 appearances for the Saudi outfit since joining last year.

Before halftime, Abderrazak Hamdallah further solidified Al-Ittihad’s lead with a well-executed finish, capping off a fluid attacking move down the right flank. Despite Al-Wehda’s attempts to respond, including a near miss by Yassin el Welly, Gallardo’s men maintained control.

In the second half, Al-Wehda pressed for a comeback, providing opportunities for Al-Ittihad to seal the game. A goal-line clearance denied Benzema another goal-scoring opportunity, showcasing the intensity of the encounter.

However, Al-Wehda’s persistence paid off as they earned a penalty in the dying minutes, only for Fayçal Fajr to squander the chance with a wayward effort over the crossbar. In injury time, Hussain Ahmed Al Eisa’s delicate finish reduced the deficit, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome, as Al-Ittihad emerged victorious, booking their spot in the Saudi Arabia Division 1 Super Cup final.

For Gallardo, this victory provides a much-needed morale boost following recent disappointments, including elimination from the Asia Champions League. Although their Saudi Pro League aspirations remain distant, with Al Hilal leading by a significant margin, Gallardo’s focus now shifts to securing his maiden title in the Middle East.

With just six league fixtures remaining, Al-Ittihad will aim to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign in the Saudi Pro League, where they currently sit fourth with 47 points. Their upcoming fixture against Al-Hazem offers an opportunity to carry forward the winning spirit displayed in their Super Cup journey.