Al-Ittihad win the double! Karim Benzema strikes twice as Saudi champions win King's Cup final

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Al-Ittihad capped off a remarkable season with a commanding 3-1 win over Al-Qadsiah in the King’s Cup final, securing the domestic double.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Laurent Blanc’s side wasted no time asserting their dominance, surging to a two-goal lead in the first half. Benzema opened the scoring with a clinical finish, followed shortly by a well-placed strike from Houssem Aouar. However, former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted from the penalty spot to narrow the deficit to 2-1.

Al Ittihad v Al Qadsiah: Final King's Cup

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite Aubameyang’s efforts, the second half saw Al-Qadsiah’s dreams unravel. With time running out and tensions high, Ezequiel Fernandez received a red card late in the match, leaving Al-Qadsiah a man down. Benzema then struck again in stoppage time, sealing victory and extinguishing any remaining chance of a comeback.

DID YOU KNOW?

This latest defeat deepens the frustration for Al-Qadsiah, who have not claimed a major trophy in over three decades. Their last notable success came 31 years ago, and their barren run in the King’s Cup has now stretched to 58 years.

Whereas the 2024–25 season has proven to be one of the most successful in Al-Ittihad’s long history. Finishing eight points clear at the top of the league, they secured their 10th Saudi Pro League title. The King’s Cup triumph was also their 10th in the competition, bringing a perfect symmetry to an unforgettable campaign.

Al Ittihad v Al Qadsiah: Final King's Cup

WHAT NEXT FOR BENZEMA?

With 38 goals in 62 games for Al-Ittihad, Benzema has become a talisman for the club. This season alone, the veteran striker netted 21 times in the league, placing him third in the Golden Boot race. Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney managed more goals, with Ronaldo taking home the top scorer accolade with 25 goals for Al Nassr. However, the Al-Ittihad striker was recognised for his all-around contribution to his team’s success, as the Player of the Year award went to the Frenchman.