"Al Ittihad's Diaby Shines in 3-2 Thriller Over Al Shabab."

"Al Ittihad's Diaby Shines in 3-2 Thriller Over Al Shabab"

Champions Al Ittihad Overcome Al Shabab in Five-Goal Thriller

                    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2025 — In a pulsating Saudi Professional League (SPL) clash at King Fahd Stadium, reigning champions Al Ittihad clinched a 3-2 victory over Al Shabab in their final away game of the 2024-25 season.            Moussa Diaby’s sensational first-half brace set the tone, with Yannick Carrasco adding a crucial third, while Al Shabab fought back with goals from Steven Bergwijn and Cristian Guanca. The match, a five-goal thriller, showcased Al Ittihad’s attacking prowess and resilience, securing their fifth consecutive win and cementing their dominance as SPL champions. Despite a spirited comeback from Fatih Terim’s Al Shabab, the Jeddah giants held firm, delivering a spectacle that enthralled fans and underlined their title credentials.

Pre-Match Build-Up

As the 33rd matchweek of the 2024-25 SPL season unfolded, Al Ittihad arrived in Riyadh as champions-elect, having already secured the title with a 3-2 comeback win over Al Nassr and a victory against Al Raed earlier in May. With an impressive record of 27 wins, 6 draws, and only 3 losses, Al Ittihad were the team to beat, boasting a lethal attack led by Moussa Diaby and a solid defense marshaled by Danilo Pereira. Al Shabab, under the stewardship of veteran manager Fatih Terim, sat fourth in the standings with 17 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses, their 63 goals scored reflecting an attacking flair but defensive frailties, having conceded 41.

The stakes were high for Al Shabab, who aimed to end their season on a positive note and challenge the champions in front of their home crowd. Recent form favored Al Ittihad, who had beaten Al Shabab 2-1 in their previous meeting on January 22, 2025, but Terim’s side was buoyed by the return of key players like Steven Bergwijn and Daniel Podence. The King Fahd Stadium, packed with passionate fans, buzzed with anticipation for a goal-fest, given both teams’ attacking records and a predicted 2-2 draw by analysts at Sportsmole.co.uk.

Al Ittihad XI: Al-Muizz (GK); Al-Olayan, Hegazy, Luiz Felipe, Al-Sahafi; Kante, Aouar; Diaby, Carrasco, Al-Juwayr; Benzema (C).

Subs: Al-Mermesh, Al-Mousa, Al-Ghamdi, Pereira, Al-Nashri.
Al Shabab XI: Kim Seung-gyu (GK); Al-Yami, Saiss, Al-Sharari, Al-Sagour; Cuellar, Al-Juwayr; Bergwijn, Podence, Carrasco; Diallo (C).

Subs: Malaika, Guanca, Al-Muwallad, Al-Harbi, Sharahili.

With the referee’s whistle, the stage was set for a blockbuster encounter.
First Half: Diaby’s Brilliance Sets the Pace
Kick-Off to 15th Minute: Al Ittihad 1-0 Al Shabab

The match exploded into life within the first minute. Al Ittihad’s Moussa Diaby, in scintillating form, received a pass from N’Golo Kante just outside the box. With a deft touch, he unleashed a powerful shot that took a massive deflection off Romain Saiss, wrong-footing Kim Seung-gyu and nestling into the net. 1-0 to Al Ittihad after just 60 seconds, and the away fans erupted! X posts captured the moment, with @SPOTVSEA noting Diaby’s “powerful shot” and @ITTIHAD_XTRA celebrating the early breakthrough.

Al Shabab responded with urgency, as Bergwijn’s pace tested Al Ittihad’s defense. In the fifth minute, Podence’s curling effort forced a diving save from Al-Muizz, signaling Al Shabab’s intent. However, Al Ittihad’s midfield, anchored by Kante and Houssem Aouar, controlled possession, with Carrasco and Diaby stretching the flanks. Aouar nearly doubled the lead in the 12th minute, his long-range strike whistling past the post.

16th to 30th Minute: Diaby Strikes Again

Al Shabab’s high press left gaps, and Al Ittihad exploited them ruthlessly. In the 34th minute, Diaby struck again, this time with a moment of magic. Receiving a through-ball from Fawaz Al-Juwayr, he executed a cheeky lob over Kim Seung-gyu, the ball arcing beautifully into the top corner. 2-0, and Diaby’s second goal sent the Al Ittihad bench into raptures. @SPOTVSEA praised the “cheeky lob” on X, highlighting Diaby’s flair.

Al Shabab struggled to find rhythm, with Cuellar unable to break Kante’s stranglehold in midfield. Bergwijn’s runs were dangerous, but Luiz Felipe’s timely interceptions kept Al Shabab at bay. A brief scare came in the 28th minute when Diallo’s header from a Podence corner struck the bar, but Al Ittihad’s defense held firm.

31st Minute to Half-Time: Carrasco Seals First-Half Dominance

As the half drew to a close, Al Ittihad capitalized on a defensive error. In the 45+3rd minute, Al-Juwayr dispossessed Al-Sagour and found Yannick Carrasco, who surged forward and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards. 3-0, and the champions were in cruise control. X posts from @fanatikcomtr and @centraldoarabao confirmed Carrasco’s goal, crediting Al-Juwayr’s assist.

The halftime whistle blew with Al Ittihad leading 3-0, Diaby’s brace and Carrasco’s strike giving them a commanding advantage. Al Shabab, despite flashes of attacking intent, were outplayed, their defense exposed by Al Ittihad’s clinical finishing.

Half-Time Score: Al Shabab 0-3 Al Ittihad
Key Stats: Possession: Al Ittihad 58%, Al Shabab 42%; Shots: Al Ittihad 8 (5 on target), Al Shabab 6 (2 on target).

Second Half: Al Shabab’s Fightback Falls Short
46th to 60th Minute: Al Shabab Find Hope

Fatih Terim made tactical adjustments at halftime, bringing on Cristian Guanca for Al-Juwayr to add creativity. Al Shabab started the second half with renewed vigor, pressing high and exploiting Al Ittihad’s occasional lapses. In the 58th minute, their persistence paid off. Daniel Podence’s precise pass found Steven Bergwijn, who cut inside Hegazy and curled a stunning shot past Al-Muizz. 3-1, and the King Fahd Stadium roared to life. @fanatikcomtr noted Bergwijn’s goal, crediting Podence’s assist.

Al Ittihad responded with a counterattack, as Benzema’s header from a Carrasco cross was tipped over by Kim Seung-gyu. The champions, however, showed signs of complacency, with Al-Sahafi’s misplaced pass nearly gifting Diallo a chance, only for Al-Muizz to make a crucial save.

61st to 75th Minute: Guanca Pulls One Back

Al Shabab’s momentum grew, and in the 67th minute, they struck again. Guanca, the substitute, latched onto a loose ball after a defensive mix-up between Luiz Felipe and Al-Olayan. His powerful strike from 15 yards beat Al-Muizz, reducing the deficit to 3-2. X posts from @asistanaliz and @skorerrcom highlighted Guanca’s impact, noting Al Shabab’s spirited comeback.

Sensing danger, Al Ittihad’s manager introduced Danilo Pereira for Al-Juwayr to shore up the defense. Pereira’s presence restored calm, as he thwarted a dangerous move by Podence in the 72nd minute. Benzema came close to restoring the two-goal lead, but his volley from Diaby’s cross sailed narrowly over.

76th Minute to Full-Time: Al Ittihad Hold Firm

The final 15 minutes were tense, with Al Shabab throwing everything at Al Ittihad. Bergwijn’s pace troubled Al-Sahafi, but Kante’s tireless work rate and Aouar’s composure ensured the champions maintained control. In the 85th minute, Podence’s free-kick was headed just wide by Saiss, Al Shabab’s last clear chance.

Al Ittihad nearly added a fourth in stoppage time, as Diaby’s shot was saved by Kim Seung-gyu, but the champions held on for a 3-2 victory. The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Al Ittihad players and fans, who savored their fifth straight win and a fitting end to their away campaign.

Full-Time Score: Al Shabab 2-3 Al Ittihad
Goals: Bergwijn 58’, Guanca 67’ (Al Shabab); Diaby 1’, 34’, Carrasco 45+3’ (Al Ittihad)
Key Stats: Possession: Al Ittihad 55%, Al Shabab 45%; Shots: Al Ittihad 14 (7 on target), Al Shabab 12 (5 on target).

Post-Match Analysis

Result: Al Ittihad win 3-2, concluding their away fixtures with a hard-fought victory and reinforcing their status as SPL champions. Player of the Match: Moussa Diaby, whose first-minute strike and cheeky lob set Al Ittihad on their way to victory.

Key Moments:

Diaby’s Explosive Start: Scoring within the first minute, Diaby’s deflected shot gave Al Ittihad an early edge, setting the tone for their dominance.

Second Goal Masterclass: Diaby’s 34th-minute lob was a moment of brilliance, showcasing his flair and confidence.

Carrasco’s Clincher: Yannick Carrasco’s goal in first-half stoppage time gave Al Ittihad a commanding lead.

Al Shabab’s Fightback: Bergwijn and Guanca’s goals in the second half made it a contest, but Al Ittihad’s defense held firm.

Defensive Resilience: Danilo Pereira’s substitution proved pivotal, stabilizing Al Ittihad’s backline during Al Shabab’s late surge.

Managers’ Take:

Al Ittihad Manager: “Moussa was phenomenal today, and the team showed character to hold off a strong Al Shabab side. This win reflects our hunger to finish the season strongly.”

Fatih Terim (Al Shabab): “We fought back well, but conceding early hurt us. My players showed heart, and we’ll learn from this for next season.”

Statistical Insights:

Al Ittihad’s 27 wins and 6 draws from 36 matches underline their consistency, with 81 points and a goal difference of +40.

Al Shabab’s 63 goals scored rank among the league’s best, but their 41 goals conceded highlight defensive issues.

Diaby’s brace takes his season tally to 15 goals, making him Al Ittihad’s top scorer.
Broader Context and What’s Next

Al Ittihad’s victory caps a remarkable season, with the Jeddah club confirming their SPL title with earlier wins over Al Raed and Al Nassr. Their dominance, with only three losses, reflects a well-balanced squad, blending veterans like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante with young stars like Diaby and Aouar. The win over Al Shabab, a team coached by the experienced Fatih Terim, underscores their ability to perform under pressure, even when missing key players.

For Al Shabab, the defeat is a bitter end to a campaign that promised much but faltered in key moments. Their attacking output, led by Bergwijn and Podence, was evident, but defensive lapses cost them against a ruthless Al Ittihad. With one match remaining, Al Shabab will look to regroup and finish the season on a high.

The SPL season concludes next week, with Al Ittihad hosting their final game as champions, while Al Shabab face a tough away fixture. This match, however, will be remembered for its intensity, Diaby’s brilliance, and Al Ittihad’s unyielding pursuit of excellence.