Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — Al Ittihad Club returned to winning ways in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 after edging Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf 1-0 on Tuesday night at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
A second-half volley from captain Karim Benzema secured all three points for the Saudi Pro League side, lifting Al Ittihad to nine points and officially ending Nasaf’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16.
Nasaf entered the contest still searching for their first point of the campaign and relied heavily on goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov early on.
The Uzbek shot-stopper denied Al Ittihad in the eighth minute, producing a fine touch to divert Ahmed Al Ghamdi’s effort onto the post.
Despite dominating possession, Al Ittihad struggled to find a breakthrough in the first half, while Nasaf threatened sporadically through Sadorbek Bakhromov and Oybek Bozorov, forcing Pedrag Rajkovic to stay alert.
The hosts were again denied by the woodwork four minutes before the interval when Nematov parried Moussa Diaby’s cross and Benzema’s follow-up struck the upright, summing up Al Ittihad’s frustration before the break.
Head coach Sergio Conceicao adjusted his side after the restart, pushing Fabinho into midfield and introducing Roger Fernandes on the left flank — changes that paid immediate dividends.
In the 57th minute, Fernandes delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Benzema arrived to volley home emphatically, sending the Jeddah crowd into celebration.
Nasaf nearly snatched an equaliser against the run of play in the 77th minute when Adenis Shala broke through on the counter, but Rajkovic stood firm to block the attempted chip.
Al Ittihad continued to press for a second goal and hit the woodwork for the third time when Benzema’s header was tipped onto the bar by an outstanding Nematov.
The home side were forced to finish the match with 10 men after substitute Faisal Al Ghamdi was forced off injured five minutes after coming on, but Al Ittihad managed the closing stages comfortably to seal a hard-fought victory.
