Riyadh,August 24(HS): In a dramatic final that kept fans on edge until the last kick, Al-Ahli defeated Al-Nassr 5-4 on penalties to secure the championship after a gripping 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The buildup to the tournament had already seen unexpected twists, with league runner-up Al-Hilal withdrawing due to scheduling conflicts and player fatigue following the FIFA Club World Cup. Their exit paved the way for Al-Ahli’s late entry, after Al-Qadsiah had already qualified via the King’s Cup runner-up spot.
In the semifinals, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr ousted Al-Ittihad with a narrow 2-1 win, while Al-Ahli stunned Al-Qadsiah with a commanding 5-1 triumph, setting the stage for a high-voltage finale in Riyadh.
The championship clash lived up to its billing. Ronaldo, scoring his 100th goal for Al-Nassr, put his side ahead from the spot after a handball by Ali Majrashi. However, Al-Ahli struck back through Franck Kessié’s thunderous equalizer just before halftime.
The deadlock resumed in the second half as Marcelo Brozovic restored Al-Nassr’s lead in the 80th minute, only for Roger Ibáñez to level with a towering header five minutes later.
With the contest locked 2-2, penalties decided the crown. Al-Ahli kept their composure, converting all five attempts, while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy etched himself into club folklore by denying Abdullah Al-Khaibari, sealing Al-Nassr’s heartbreak.
For Al-Ahli, the triumph marked a remarkable turnaround story—seizing a title they had not even expected to contest just weeks earlier.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar