Al-Ahli Demolish Al-Qadsiah to Book Saudi Super Cup Final Showdown with Al-Nassr
Jeddah giants Al-Ahli delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over 10-man Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday, securing a thrilling final matchup against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Despite an early setback, Al-Ahli showcased their attacking prowess and capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes to dominate the match.
Initially, Al-Qadsiah stunned Al-Ahli with an eighth-minute goal from Gaston Alvarez, who headed in a low cross from Mohammed Al Thani. However, their lead evaporated four minutes later as Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, later named man of the match, equalized after a defensive lapse during a throw-in, calmly slotting the ball into the net from close range.
Turning Point: Red Card Shifts Momentum
The match dynamics shifted dramatically in the 42nd minute when Al-Qadsiah’s Ghanaian winger Christopher Bonsu Baah received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Roger Ibanez. As a result, Al-Ahli seized control. Just before halftime, Kessie scored his second goal, heading in a precise cross from Riyad Mahrez, further solidifying their dominance with a 2-1 lead.
Earlier, in the 26th minute, a VAR review awarded Al-Ahli a penalty for a handball by Nahitan Nandez. Consequently, Ivan Toney confidently converted the spot-kick in the 28th minute, giving Al-Ahli a 3-1 lead. Three minutes later, French winger Enzo Millot added a third, heading in another pinpoint Mahrez cross, showcasing Al-Ahli’s relentless attacking rhythm.
Second Half Seals Al-Qadsiah’s Fate
After the break, Al-Ahli continued their onslaught. In the 61st minute, Al-Qadsiah captain Nacho Fernandez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance, gifting Al-Ahli a fifth goal. Although Ivan Toney thought he had scored again late in the game, officials disallowed the strike for offside.
Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah struggled to regain their footing after their early promise. Their Italian striker Mateo Retegui failed to make an impact and exited with just over 10 minutes remaining. Ultimately, Al-Qadsiah’s reduced numbers and defensive errors left them unable to counter Al-Ahli’s attacking flair.
With this emphatic win, Al-Ahli, who have won the trophy once, now prepare to face Al-Nassr, who defeated Saudi Pro League reigning champions Al-Ittihad 2-1 on Tuesday, in the final on at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, in a showdown between two of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious clubs.
This victory not only showcases Al-Ahli’s strength but also sets the stage for a thrilling final against Al-Nassr, who will be looking to claim the Saudi Super Cup title.
