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1 - 10 from 22412 . In "Sports"
Benzema strike lifts Al Ittihad past Nasaf in AFC Champions League Elite
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — 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...
December 24, 2025

Benzema strike lifts Al Ittihad past Nasaf in AFC Champions League Elite

Jeddah to host AFC Champions League Elite Finals 2026
KUALA LUMPUR — Asian Football Confederation has officially confirmed the two match venues that will stage the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2026, scheduled to take place from April 16 to 25, 2026. The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium — both of which hosted the 2025 edition — will once again serve as the battlegrounds for the final seven matches of the 2025/26 ACL Elite season, reinforcing Jeddah’s status as a premier destination for elite Asian football. The Finals will be contested in a centralised, single-leg knockout format featuring Asia’s top eight clubs. The Quarter-finals will be played from April 16 to 18, followed by the Semi-finals on April 20 and 21, before the competition culminates in the Final...
December 23, 2025

Jeddah to host AFC Champions League Elite Finals 2026

Al Ahli cruise past Al Shorta to seal AFC Champions League Elite last-16 place
Saudi Gazette reportBAGHDAD — Al Ahli Saudi FC booked their place in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 in emphatic fashion after demolishing Al Shorta 5-0 on Monday. The dominant victory lifted the defending champions to 13 points, guaranteeing them a top-eight finish in the West Zone with two matches still to play. The defeat, meanwhile, leaves Al Shorta on the brink of elimination despite the remaining fixtures. Al Shorta made a bright start in Baghdad and almost stunned the visitors early on when Mahmoud Almawas headed narrowly wide from Hasan Raed’s left-wing cross in the ninth minute. The Iraqi side continued to apply pressure, with Leonel Mbida testing Al Ahli’s defence before seeing a fierce strike blocked. Missing key figures Franck Kessié and Riyad...
December 23, 2025

Al Ahli cruise past Al Shorta to seal AFC Champions League Elite last-16 place

Al Hilal edge Sharjah to stay perfect in AFC Champions League Elite
Saudi Gazette report SHARJAH — Al Hilal SFC maintained their flawless run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 after clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sharjah FC on Monday. The win saw the Saudi Pro League side extend their lead at the top of the standings to 18 points, having already secured qualification to the Round of 16 with three matches to spare. Sharjah, meanwhile, remained on seven points despite a spirited display on home soil. Sharjah head coach José Morais made three changes to the team that stunned defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC on Matchday Five, restoring Igor Coronado, Ousmane Camara and Caio Lucas to the starting lineup. Al Hilal, for their part, made five changes, with Rúben Neves returning to a central midfield role. The hosts made a confident start...
December 23, 2025

Al Hilal edge Sharjah to stay perfect in AFC Champions League Elite

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe greets their supporters after winning the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla FC, in Madrid, Spain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Mbappe matches Ronaldo’s calendar-year goals record for Real Madrid
MADRID — Kylian Mbappe equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record of 59 goals in a calendar year as Los Blancos secured a hard-fought victory over Sevilla to maintain pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time when Jude Bellingham rose above Lucien Agoume to glance a header into the top corner from a Rodrygo free-kick. Sevilla pushed for an equaliser and created several promising openings, but Real’s task became easier early in the second half when Marcao was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Bellingham. Celebrating his 27th birthday, Mbappe sealed the win in the 86th minute by calmly converting from the penalty spot after Rodrygo was fouled by Juanlu Sanchez. The goal took the...
December 21, 2025

Mbappe matches Ronaldo’s calendar-year goals record for Real Madrid

Saudi Arabia U-23 lift Gulf Cup title with win over Iraq
Saudi Gazette report DOHA — Saudi Arabia’s Olympic team claimed the Gulf Cup Under-23 title on Tuesday after defeating Iraq 2-0 in the final at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, confirming their dominance in the regional competition. Goals from Rakan Al Ghamdi and Abdulaziz Al Aliewa in the 23rd and 49th minutes sealed a disciplined and efficient victory for the Green Falcons, who controlled the final from start to finish. Iraq’s task became significantly more difficult shortly before halftime when Haider Abdul Karim was sent off in the 44th minute, leaving his side a man down for the remainder of the match and limiting their chances of mounting a comeback. The triumph marks Saudi Arabia’s fifth title in the history of the Gulf Cup Under-23 tournament, following previous victories in...
December 16, 2025

Saudi Arabia U-23 lift Gulf Cup title with win over Iraq

Rodgers, born in Northern Ireland, arrives with one of the most distinguished coaching résumés in European football.
Al Qadsiah appoint Brendan Rodgers as head coach in landmark move
Saudi Gazette reportALKHOBAR — Al Qadsiah Club has announced the appointment of world-renowned coach Brendan Rodgers as head coach of the men’s first football team, marking a significant step in the club’s ambitious sporting project and long-term vision. Rodgers, born in Northern Ireland, arrives with one of the most distinguished coaching résumés in European football. Widely respected for his modern, possession-based attacking philosophy, Rodgers has built a reputation for developing competitive teams, nurturing talent, and delivering success at the highest levels. Over the course of his career, Rodgers has overseen more than 300 Premier League matches with leading clubs. His achievements include guiding Liverpool to a historic league runner-up finish while setting a club record...
December 16, 2025

Al Qadsiah appoint Brendan Rodgers as head coach in landmark move

Saudi Arabia exit Arab Cup after semi-final loss to Jordan
Saudi Gazette report DOHA — Saudi Arabia eliminated from Arab Cup 2025 on Monday night after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Jordan in the semi-final at Al Bayt Stadium, ending the Green Falcons’ hopes of reaching the final. The result sent Jordan through to the Arab Cup final for the first time in their history, where they will face Morocco, who defeated the United Arab Emirates 3-0 in the other semi-final. Despite applying sustained pressure for long spells, Saudi Arabia, under head coach Herve Renard, were unable to break down Jordan’s disciplined defensive structure, which proved decisive on a night where clear chances were at a premium. The defeat raised concerns ahead of the Green Falcons’ participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Jordan scored the...
December 16, 2025

Saudi Arabia exit Arab Cup after semi-final loss to Jordan

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal close to acquiring Al Hilal: Report
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, is nearing the completion of a landmark acquisition of Saudi football giants Al Hilal, with a final announcement expected before the end of December, according to sources cited by Asharq Al-Awsat. Sources familiar with the deal said negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year, with only minor details remaining before Prince Alwaleed acquires full ownership of the club, marking what would be an unprecedented transaction in Saudi sports history. If finalized, the deal would represent the first complete private acquisition of one of the Kingdom’s top football clubs following the launch of Saudi Arabia’s sports privatization program. Other club privatizations progressing more slowly The...
December 15, 2025

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal close to acquiring Al Hilal: Report

Al Qadsiah part ways with head coach Michel Gonzalez
Saudi Gazette report ALKHOBAR — Al Qadsiah Club announced on Sunday that it has mutually agreed to part ways with men’s first-team head coach Michel Gonzalez, bringing an end to his tenure with the club following an internal review process. In an official statement, Al Qadsiah said the decision came after a planned evaluation led by the club’s executive management and board of directors, aimed at ensuring the team’s continued progression in line with the club’s long-term ambitions and strategic objectives. The club’s board expressed its appreciation to Gonzalez and his coaching staff for their professionalism, dedication, and contributions during their time in charge. “Michel will always be regarded as part of the Al Qadsiah family,” the statement said, noting that his...
December 15, 2025

Al Qadsiah part ways with head coach Michel Gonzalez

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