Soccer

Karim Benzema takes another trophy away from Cristiano Ronaldo

Benzema’s goal kicked off Al Ittihad’s King’s Cup win, as Ronaldo’s hunt for silverware in Saudi Arabia suffered another painful setback.

Hamad I Mohammed

Víctor Martín J.Roddy Cons

Update: Oct 29th, 2025 07:28 EDT

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Karim Benzema. Riyadh was the stage for a high-voltage clash between two Real Madrid icons, and two Saudi giants. Al Nassr came in unbeaten this season, led by a relentless Ronaldo determined to lift another trophy. Benzema’s Al Ittihad, meanwhile, arrived hungry for revenge after a recent league loss. Add in the simmering tension between head coaches Jorge Jesus and Sérgio Conceição, and it was the recipe for an explosive night.

A flash of brilliance from Benzema

Al Nassr dominated early, keeping the ball and forcing Al Ittihad to sit deep and wait for openings. João Félix quickly drew a yellow card on Fabinho, a crucial blow for the Jeddah side’s midfield. But despite the pressure, it was Benzema who delivered the first punch.

A textbook counterattack led by Moussa Diaby ended with a moment of pure class from the former Ballon d’Or winner, who slotted home with trademark precision to give Al Ittihad the lead.

There’s a reason behind that smile ☝️😁#Alittihad_Alnassr pic.twitter.com/2KzZ8cosRD
— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) October 28, 2025

Ronaldo refuses to fold

Ronaldo, as ever, refused to give in. A driving run from the Portuguese star created chaos in the box, and after a loose rebound, young Brazilian winger Ângelo unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike into the top corner to tie the match.

Just before halftime, though, Houssem Aouar, Al Ittihad’s standout performer on the night, restored the visitors’ advantage, leaving Ronaldo and company needing a comeback of epic proportions to stay alive in the tournament.

Chaos and courage after a brutal collision

Early in the second half, a chilling moment silenced the crowd. Al Julaydan clattered into Ayman in a reckless challenge that left the Al Nassr defender unconscious on the turf. The referee wasted no time showing red, and after several tense minutes of medical attention, Ayman miraculously returned to the game.

Down to ten men, Al Ittihad braced for a siege. For more than 40 minutes, they defended wave after wave of Al Nassr attacks.

No way through for Ronaldo

Despite overwhelming possession and constant pressure, Al Nassr and Ronaldo couldn’t find a way through. Rajkovic produced a string of spectacular saves, none better than a point-blank stop to deny Sadio Mané in the closing minutes.

With ten minutes remaining, Jorge Jesus threw everything forward, but his team ran out of ideas. Endless crosses failed to find their mark, and there was no backup plan.

Another trophy slips away for Cristiano Ronaldo

The final whistle confirmed another heartbreak for Ronaldo, who has now missed out on 13 trophies since moving to Saudi Arabia. His focus now turns to the league and the AFC Champions League 2, where Al Nassr’s star man has yet to make a major impact.