ABHA, Saudi Arabia - Damac FC stunned the Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad with a gritty 2-1 victory on Monday evening, marking one of the biggest upsets of the season.
The match took place at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, where Damac needed desperately to improve their fortunes after struggling to find momentum this season. This game was pivotal not only for Damac, who entered the match sitting mid-table, but also for Al-Ittihad, who shared the top spot with Al-Hilal.
The opening goal came from Georges-Kévin Nkoudou, who struck early at the 17-minute mark, sending the home crowd in Abha wild with excitement. The Cameroonian winger has been known for his speed and creativity, and he showcased both qualities to put Damac on the scoreboard first.
Al-Ittihad quickly regrouped, and just before the halftime break, their captain Karim Benzema leveled the score at 1-1 with his timely equalizer at the 45+4 minute mark. With this goal, Benzema, who has been one of the top scorers this season, reminded everyone of his prowess and importance to the team. Both teams went to the break with the game tied, setting the stage for what promised to be an intense second half.
After halftime, Al-Ittihad seemed to have control of the match, with multiple opportunities to take the lead. Under the management of Laurent Blanc, they pushed hard, demonstrating solid possession and attempting to break down Damac's defense. Despite their dominance, the breakthrough they sought failed to materialize.
Just when it seemed Al-Ittihad might secure at least a point, Nkoudou struck again in the dying moments of the match, scoring his second and sealing the victory for Damac with his goal at 90+4 minutes. This late winner not only shocked the Al-Ittihad players but also sent shockwaves through the league, complicate their title chase.
Post-match, Nkoudou expressed his joy, stating, "It was our time to shine today. This victory means everything to us and shows we can compete with the best." On the other hand, Benzema captured his disappointment, saying, "It was disappointing for us to lose the match. We should have capitalized on our chances."
This defeat places Al-Ittihad in a tighter race for the title, still neck and neck with their rivals Al-Hilal. Both teams now have 43 points, but Al-Hilal holds the advantage with a game in hand. The loss is especially painful for Al-Ittihad, as they had been riding high on recent victories, including their win over Al-Hilal in the King Cup of Champions.
For Damac, this win may reignite their season, lifting them from the doldrums of inconsistent performances earlier. They now hope to build on this momentum and rise from their current 10th place standing.
The clash against Al-Ittihad showcased not just the unpredictability of the Saudi Pro League but also highlighted how quickly fortunes can change among even the strongest teams. Moving forward, Damac will look to maintain this form, hoping their hard-fought victory can propel them forward, whereas Al-Ittihad will need to regroup quickly and focus on their upcoming fixtures.
With the league's title race heating up and several matches left to play, every point counts. Both teams will now need to reassess their strategies as they prepare for the challenges awaiting them this season.