KSAsportz Report
JEDDAH — In a thrilling showdown at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Al Ahli staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Al Qadsiah 5-4 on penalties following a gripping 3-3 draw in the King’s Cup quarterfinal.
Al Qadsiah took an early lead, with Italian forward Mateo Retegui scoring in the 11th minute. Colombian striker Julian Quiñones extended the advantage to 2-0 by the 30th minute, courtesy of a perfectly timed assist from Portugal’s Otávio. These developments contributed to a commanding first half for the visitors, who registered 65% possession during the opening 45 minutes.
Al Ahli began their fightback just six minutes later, as English striker Ivan Toney converted a penalty, cutting the deficit to 2-1. However, Retegui quickly restored Al Qadsiah’s two-goal lead, netting his second penalty of the night just before halftime.
The second half saw a resurgence from Al Ahli, with French midfielder Valentin Atangana scoring in the 61st minute, bringing the score to 3-2. The electrifying atmosphere peaked in the 73rd minute when Ivorian star Franck Kessié struck the equaliser, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Despite both teams’ efforts, neither side could secure a win during extra time, leading the match to a penalty shootout. In a dramatic twist, Al Qadsiah’s substitute Abdullah Al Salem missed the only penalty attempt for his side, while all of Al Ahli’s penalty-takers converted their shots. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for Al Ahli but also showcases their resilience, as they overturned a two-goal deficit against a strong opponent. According to recent statistics, Al Ahli’s comeback is the first of its kind in the King’s Cup since 2019.