Karim Benzema's second-half volley secured a 1-0 victory for Al-Ittihad against PFC Nasaf in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday. The win moved the Saudi champions to sixth in the Western group standings. A future victory against Al-Gharafa would clinch their spot in the round of 16.
In Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ittihad hosted Uzbekistan's PFC Nasaf for Matchday 6 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26. The Saudi side, seeking to rebound from a recent 4-2 loss to Al Duhail, controlled much of the game but struggled to break the deadlock until the 57th minute.
French striker Karim Benzema volleyed home from close range at the far post, meeting a precise cross from Portuguese winger Roger Fernandes. This goal proved decisive, ending Nasaf's hopes of advancing and marking Al-Ittihad's return to winning ways. With the result, Al-Ittihad climbed to sixth place in the 12-team Western group, accumulating points that position them well for the knockout stage. The top eight teams from the East and West zones progress to the round of 16, and a win in their next match against Qatar's Al-Gharafa would secure qualification for the two-time champions.
Nasaf, who entered the fixture at the bottom of the standings after five straight defeats, offered little threat and could not respond to Benzema's strike. The Uzbek side's elimination was confirmed, as they finished with minimal points.
Elsewhere in the Western zone, Qatar's Al Sadd staged a remarkable comeback against UAE's Shabab Al Ahli. Trailing 2-1 after 90 minutes, Al Sadd scored three goals in stoppage time to win 4-2. Spanish striker Rafa Mujica completed a hat-trick, with Tarek Salman adding the fourth, keeping Al Sadd's faint qualification hopes alive in the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
These results highlight the competitive nature of the group stage, with teams vying for progression ahead of the finals in Jeddah in 2026.
