Odion Ighalo’s day ended in celebration as Al Hilal emerged victorious in a thrilling showdown against Al Wehda, winning the Saudi King’s Cup in a nail-biting penalty shootout that ended 7-6.
The match, held at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Friday night, showcased the immense talent and determination of both teams as they battled to a 1-1 draw after an exhilarating 120 minutes of football.
In the first half, Abdoul Karim Yoda of Al Wehda seized an opportunity and found the back of the net, giving his team the lead ten minutes before the break. However, Al Hilal refused to back down and launched a relentless assault on their opponents’ defence.
It was not until the dying moments of stoppage time that Ali Al Bulahyi of Al Hilal managed to level the scoreline, igniting a wave of jubilation among their supporters.
The 1-1 deadlock remained unbroken throughout extra time, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout to determine the ultimate winner.
Unfortunately for Al Hilal, star striker Odion Ighalo faltered during the shootout, missing their second penalty.
However, Ighalo’s miss ultimately proved inconsequential, as Al Hilal, led by coach Ramon Diaz, demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience, ultimately prevailing in the shootout.
This victory marks Ighalo’s second major trophy with Al Hilal, having already clinched the Saudi Arabia Professional Football League title in his debut season with the club. The 33-year-old Nigerian international has continued to showcase his prowess and play a pivotal role in the team’s success throughout the season.
The former Manchester United ace featured last week as Al Hilal were beaten in the final of the AFC Champions League by Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds.
