Al-Ittihad secured a resounding and well-deserved 4-1 victory over Al-Shabab in their King's Cup quarter-final match at Al-Inma Stadium. The game saw a standout performance from French star Karim Benzema, who spearheaded his team's impressive win, propelling them into the semi-finals of Saudi Arabia's most prestigious club competition.
The context of the match and its importance in the King's Cup
The King's Cup is of paramount importance to Saudi clubs, representing not only significant domestic glory but also granting the winner a direct spot in the AFC Champions League. Al-Ittihad entered the match as one of the favorites for the title, especially after the club's strong summer transfer window acquisitions of international stars. Al-Shabab, for their part, hoped to pull off an upset and eliminate the reigning league champions, but Al-Ittihad's attacking prowess sealed the victory early on.
Benzema continues to shine and achieves a perfect score
Karim Benzema was undoubtedly the star of the first match, delivering an exceptional performance that earned him a perfect 10/10 rating – a rare feat that reflects his immense influence on the game. Benzema didn't just score goals; he was a key figure in building attacks and creating opportunities for his teammates, proving once again that he is a top-class signing and one of the best strikers in the world. Alongside him, midfielder Mamadou Doumbia also shone, delivering a great performance and receiving a high rating of 8.5, forming a formidable partnership in the midfield.
The performance of the other players varied
Despite the resounding victory, not all Al-Ittihad players performed to their expected standard. Goalkeeper Bridge Rajkovic and defender Danilo Pereira received the lowest ratings in the squad, indicating some defensive weaknesses that may need addressing in upcoming matches. This inconsistency demonstrates that the team still needs greater cohesion to deliver a consistent performance across all lines.
Full player ratings for Al-Ittihad after their victory over Al-Shabab:
- Karim Benzema: 10
- Mohamedou Doumbia: 8.5
- N'Golo Kanté: 7.1
- Hassan Qadish: 7
- Fabinho: 7
- Muhannad Al-Shanqiti: 7
- Danilo Pereira: 6.8
- Roger Fernandez: 6.8
- Rajkovic: 6.6
- Ahmed Al-Ghamdi: 6.5
- Steven Bergwyn: 6.2
With this victory, Al-Ittihad continues its journey confidently towards achieving the Cup title, relying on the striking power of its star Karim Benzema, while Al-Shabab faces great disappointment with its exit from the tournament.
