The King’s Cup quarterfinals lived up to their reputation for high drama, with thrilling encounters and moments of individual brilliance. Among the standout performances, Alshabab’s 2-0 victory over Al Fayha, Alraed’s nerve-wracking penalty triumph over Jabalain, and Alqadsia’s 3-0 demolition of Altaawoun were key results. However, the most captivating clash of the round was the Saudi Classico, where Alhilal and Alittihad provided a rollercoaster of emotions that ended in a penalty shootout victory for the latter.
Alshabab Soar under Fateh Terim’s Leadership: In one of the more anticipated fixtures, Alshabab faced off against Al Fayha, with the match being notable for Turkish manager Fatih Terim’s first game in charge of the Riyadh-based side. Despite the weight of the occasion, Alshabab came through with a professional 2-1 win, thanks to goals from two key players: Abderrazak Hamdallah and Daniel Podence. Hamdallah, the club’s Moroccan striker, opened the scoring with a composed finish, while Podence sealed the victory with a clinical strike, ensuring Terim’s tenure began with a perfect result.
Alraed Stun Jabalain in Penalty Drama: Elsewhere, Alraed faced First Division side Jabalain in a match that took a dramatic turn after the 90 minutes. Despite dominating the game, Alraed could not break down their opponents, and the match went to penalties. Jabalain, though proud of their effort, were left heartbroken as they fell short on the big stage.
Alqadsia’s Dominant 3-0 Win over Altaawoun: In one of the most one-sided fixtures of the quarterfinals, Alqadsia delivered a clinical 3-0 victory over Altaawoun. The match saw a commanding performance from the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Further strikes from Luis Quinones and Javier Peurtas ensured that Alqadsia cruised into the semis with minimal fuss, displaying a ruthless attacking display and solid defending throughout the match.
Saudi Classico: Alhilal and Alittihad Serve Up a Classic:
The standout match of the quarterfinals came in the form of the Saudi Classico, with the two giants, Alhilal and Alittihad, facing off in what many considered to be a final in itself. The match lived up to its billing, with both teams delivering a thrilling spectacle in front of a raucous crowd at the Kingdome Arena.
Alittihad, led by manager Laurent Blanc, took the lead in the 63rd minute through a superb counterattack. The goal came from the feet of Karim Benzema, who finished confidently after a swift break. However, Alhilal responded quickly and equalized in the 72nd minute, with Salem Al-Dawsari scoring a sensational goal from that sent the Alhilal faithful into raptures.
As the match went into extra time, the tension reached its peak. In the 110th minute, Leonardo scored a beautifully worked goal to give Alhilal the lead, seemingly putting them on the brink of victory. But Alittihad wasn’t done yet, and with just minutes remaining in extra time, Benzema once again struck for Alittihad, leveling the score and sending the match to penalties.
The shootout became a battle of nerves, with Alittihad’s goalkeeper, Marko Rajkovic, emerging as the hero. Rajkovic pulled off three stunning saves, ensuring that his side secured a 3-1 victory in the shootout, sending Alittihad through to the semifinals and sending shockwaves throughout the footballing world.
