On 8th April, a thrilling Super Cup semi-final took place in Saudi Arabia. The two teams facing off on the pitch were the mighty Al-Ittihad and their worthy opponents Al-Wahda. This high-stakes clash took place at the magnificent Al-Nahayan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00. The atmosphere inside the stadium was set to be electric, with passionate supporters from both sides filling the stands and creating an incredible match experience. From the opening whistle, the players left everything on the pitch, fighting fiercely for every ball and opportunity. In the end, the home side Al-Ittihad emerged victorious, winning 2-1 after a hard-fought 90 minutes.
Al-Ittihad's 36-year-old French striker Karim Benzema wasted no time in opening the scoring, finding the back of the net just 1 minute into the match. It was an important goal for the veteran forward, as he had not been on the scoresheet since December 2023. As the first half wore on, Al-Ittihad continued to control the tempo of the game. In the 42nd minute, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah doubled his team's lead by expertly finishing off a through ball from Brazilian midfielder Romarinho.
The visiting team, Al-Wahda, managed to come back deep into stoppage time at the end of the match. Former Manchester United player, Odion Ighalo, provided the assist, and it was Hussein Al-Essa who applied the final touch to make it 2-1.
Despite the late consolation goal, Al-Ittihad held on to secure victory in this crucial Super Cup semi-final match. The win will undoubtedly be a huge boost for the home side as they look to go all the way and lift the prestigious trophy. It was a thrilling encounter that showcased the quality and determination of both sets of players on the pitch.
READ MORE: "The way you use Karim, it's a crime." Benzema's brother on the defeat to Al-Hilal. – Karim Benzema
