Benzema’s Al-ittihad knock Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr out of The Saudi King’s Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for silverware in Saudi Arabia continues, as Al Nassr crashed out of the King’s Cup with a 2–1 defeat to Al Ittihad on Tuesday.

Despite playing much of the second half with 10 men, the visitors held on for a statement victory led by former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.

The match, played at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on October 28, 2025, saw former Real Madrid teammates Benzema and Ronaldo face off in a high-stakes encounter that lived up to its billing.

Al-Ittihad struck first in the 15th minute when Benzema capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting home a clinical finish to give his side the lead. The French striker, who has been in fine form this season, celebrated emphatically, reminding fans of his predatory instincts in front of goal. Al-Nassr responded resiliently, with Brazilian winger Angelo equalizing in the 30th minute after a well-worked team move.

However, just before halftime, Houssem Aouar restored Al-Ittihad’s advantage with a stunning strike in the 45+2 minute, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box. The goal proved decisive, as Al-Ittihad were reduced to 10 men early in the second half following a red card, yet they held firm against Al-Nassr’s relentless pressure.

Ronaldo, chasing his 951st career goal, had a frustrating night. Despite five shots, only one was on target, and he failed to complete any dribbles while losing possession seven times. The Portuguese superstar’s visible frustration peaked in a viral moment where his confident free-kick pep talk to teammates ended in a wayward effort.

Al-Nassr dominated possession but couldn’t breach Al-Ittihad’s resolute defense, led by manager Sérgio Conceição.

Post-match, Benzema took to social media with a cryptic message: “When we talk we do #Alhamdulliah,” seemingly a nod to his performance against his old rival.

Ronaldo, ever the optimist, posted: “We stand tall, learn, and move forward together,” reflecting on the setback.

This defeat extends Ronaldo’s trophy-less streak in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr now eliminated from the King’s Cup for the second consecutive year. It’s their 10th consecutive trophy loss, piling pressure on Coach Nuno Espírito Santo despite their strong league position.

For Al-Ittihad, the win propels them into the quarter-finals, boosting morale amid a mixed season.

The rivalry between these star-studded sides continues to captivate fans, with Benzema getting the upper hand this time.

As the Saudi Pro League evolves, matches like this highlight the growing competitiveness and global appeal of Arabian football.

Al-Nassr will now shift focus to the league title race, where they remain frontrunners, while Al-Ittihad eyes silverware in the cup.