Aouar and Al-Ittihad overcome Aubameyang and Al Qadsiah in King's Cup final
- Andrew Olsson
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Al-Ittihad completed their dominance of Saudi football for the 2024-25 season on Friday. Houssem Aouar and Karim Benzema scored as Ittihad confirmed a domestic double with a 3-1 victory over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Al Qadsiah.
After Benzema opened the scoring in the 34th minute, Algerian international Aouar doubled the lead for Ittihad close to halftime. The former Lyon star received the ball at the edge of the Qadsiah penalty area, making a slick turn to set up Moussa Diaby's cross for Benzema. Benzema's header was tipped into the air by Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels, leaving a simple header for Aouar to score.
But Qadsiah did provide a response in first half stoppage time. After winning a penalty kick, Aubameyang stepped up to calmly dispatch his spot kick and Qadsiah were back in the match. It was the Gabon national team star's 21st goal in all competitions this season.
But while showing more attacking initiative in the second half, Qadsiah could not find a way to level the match and Ittihad secured the trophy when Diaby set up Benzema for his second goal in second half stoppage time.
Aouar completes a fantastic season for Ittihad, scoring 13 goals and providing 4 assists in in 35 matches this season after joining from AS Roma ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. For Aubameyang and Qadsiah, Friday's result is devastating because they will miss out on continental football next season.
Al-Nassr were awarded three points in a match from February after opponents Al-Orobah were judged to have fielded an ineligible player, moving Cristiano Ronaldo's team into third place ahead of Qadsiah and confirming Nassr's qualification for the AFC Champions League 2 next season.
Al Ahli qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite despite finishing in 5th place in the Pro League after winning this year's edition, leaving 4th placed Qadsiah out of luck and missing out on continental football.
