Al-Ittihad Edge Out Al-Hilal in Penalty Shootout to Reach King Cup Semifinals

In a thrilling quarterfinal clash, Al-Ittihad overcame their arch-rivals Al-Hilal on penalties to advance to the semifinals of the Saudi King Cup. The match at the sold-out Kingdom Arena ended 2-2 after extra time, with Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic emerging as the hero for Al-Ittihad, saving three penalties in the shootout.  

A Tight Contest

The match lived up to its billing, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess. Al-Hilal, the reigning champions, started brightly and took the lead early on. However, Al-Ittihad, led by star striker Karim Benzema, fought back and equalized before halftime.

The second half saw both teams create numerous chances, but neither could find a breakthrough. The match went into extra time, where the intensity remained high. Al-Hilal managed to regain the lead, but Al-Ittihad once again showed their resilience, scoring a late equalizer to force penalties.  

Rajkovic's Heroics

The penalty shootout proved to be a nerve-wracking affair. Rajkovic, the Al-Ittihad goalkeeper, stood tall, saving three penalties to give his team the edge. Al-Ittihad ultimately prevailed 3-1 in the shootout, sending their fans into raptures.  

What's Next?

Al-Ittihad will now face the winner of the other quarterfinal match in the semifinals of the King Cup. The tournament continues to provide exciting football for fans across Saudi Arabia.