Saudi Arabia triumphed over Iraq with a final score of 3-1 during the Gulf Cup match held on December 28, 2024. The match was characterized by high intensity and tactical adjustments from both teams, but Saudi Arabia emerged victorious.
The match kicked off at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, where fans created a vibrant atmosphere, pushing both teams to showcase their best performances. Saudi Arabia entered the game fresh off their last victory against Yemen where they had won 3-2, and they aimed to carry this momentum forward. Iraq, on the other hand, was coming off a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bahrain and was eager to redeem themselves.
From the start, Saudi Arabia dominated ball possession. Abdullah Alhamddan opened the scoring for Saudi Arabia with a well-placed left-footed shot following a penalty kick, signaling their intent to secure three points. Despite nominal opportunities, Iraq struggled to find the back of the net, and their defense was tested repeatedly.
At the half-time mark, the score was still level, as both teams failed to convert any chances during the first 45 minutes, but the intensity would quickly ramp up after the break. Iraq managed to equalize at 1-1 thanks to Mohanad Ali's impressive strike, igniting hopes of a comeback among their supporters. But just as the match appeared to swing back to Iraq's favor, Alhamddan struck again. His second goal restored Saudi Arabia's lead, demonstrating their resilience under pressure.
With time running out, Saudi Arabia continued to push forward. They scored their third goal of the match through another brilliant counter-attack, this time featuring Abdullah, who secured his brace with yet another powerful finish.
Iraq had their moments, particularly around the middle of the second half, but could not sustain the pressure or convert opportunities. This marked the end of Iraq's hopes to gain ground within the group standings.
Statistically, Saudi Arabia's superior performance was reflected not only on the scoreline but also through their strategic use of substitutions which aimed at bolstering their offense during key moments of the game. Seasonal form played its part, as Iraq's prior losses had taken a toll on their confidence.
The outcome of this match sends Saudi Arabia to the top of Group B, setting the stage for their next matches with greater optimism. Meanwhile, Iraq faces challenges, having positioned themselves near the bottom of the group, prompting urgent evaluations of their strategy moving forward.
Going forward, both teams will take lessons from this encounter as they continue their campaigns within the Gulf Cup. Saudi Arabia will be eager to maintain their winning streak, aiming for more decisive victories, whereas Iraq will need to regroup and reassess—or risk elimination from contention.
