Al-Ittihad defeats Nasaf with a goal from Benzema in the AFC Champions League Elite
The first football team of Al-Ittihad Saudi Club achieved a valuable and well-deserved victory over its guest Nasaf of Uzbekistan, in the exciting match that brought them together this evening on the grounds of King Abdullah Sports City Stadium “The Shining Jewel” in Jeddah, as part of the sixth round of the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite Championship.
Match details and the decisive goal
The match saw Al-Ittihad dominate possession, with the team pressing from the opening minutes to break down the Uzbek side's defensive formation. The decisive moment came in the 57th minute when veteran French star and team captain, Karim Benzema, scored the only goal of the game with a brilliant individual effort, capping off the hard work of his teammates and securing the three points for Al-Ittihad.
The two teams' positions in the standings
With this crucial victory, Al-Ittihad raised their points tally to 9, enabling them to climb to sixth place in the West Zone standings and significantly boosting their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Nasaf continued their struggles in the continental tournament, remaining at the bottom of the group with zero points after a series of consecutive defeats.
The importance of winning in the new elite system
This victory is doubly important given the new format of the AFC Champions League, where West Asian clubs compete in a single group, with the top eight qualifying for the Round of 16. The points Al-Ittihad earned today represent a tremendous morale and technical boost for the team, especially in light of the fierce competition with other Saudi and Gulf clubs currently dominating the Asian scene.
Karim Benzema's impact and international experience
Karim Benzema's goal reaffirms the immense value the former Ballon d'Or winner brings to Al-Ittihad. Beyond his decisive goals, Benzema plays a pivotal leadership role in guiding his teammates on the pitch, drawing on his extensive experience in the Champions League with Real Madrid – a quality Al-Ittihad desperately needs in their quest to reclaim continental glory.
The long history of the Asian Football Confederation
This brilliance is not unusual for Al-Ittihad, a club with a rich history in Asia, having previously won the AFC Champions League title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005 – an unprecedented achievement at the time. Al-Ittihad fans hope this edition of the tournament will pave the way for the club's return to continental glory and a strong challenge for the title, allowing them to represent Saudi Arabia in upcoming international competitions.
