Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Qadsiah Player Ratings: Vintage Benzema heroics seal Saudi King's Cup for Al-Ittihad

A vintage performance from Karim Benzema meant that Al-Ittihad emerged 3-1 winners against Al-Qadsiah in the King's Cup Final at Jeddah.

The game started with an absolute helter-skelter feel to it, with Al-Qadsiah doing all the early running. In what was their first major final, they looked more ready and more hungry for the occasion, taking Al-Ittihad by surprise.

The first two shots of the game came from Al-Qadsiah, with Turki Al-Ammar and Aubameyang both spurning rather presentable opportunities within the first ten minutes of the game. It looked like Qadsiah would be the more likely team to score, given that the recently-crowned Saudi League Champions didn't look like the consistent and quality outfit they were in the league.

Those two early attacks seemed to have woken up the men in yellow from their slumber, and that is when they started to take a grip on the proceedings. The likes of Bergwijn and Diaby began to get more involved in the game, and that is when chances began to come for Al-Ittihad. While Diaby was the more attacking of the two, his need to increase the pace of the game meant that he kept overrunning the ball in multiple promising situations.

Al-Ittihad eventually got their first shot on target courtesy of Karim Benzema, but it felt like the balance of the game had tilted, with Ittihad the dominant side and Qadsiah the side holding on. Mouss Diaby then had a golden chance to give his side the lead when he was one-on-one with the keeper, only to shoot tamely at him.

A few minutes later, Al-Ittihad thought they won a penalty when it felt like Nacho had handled in the box, but a VAR check confirmed that it hit his foot first, thereby declaring it not a penalty. Three minutes later, though, Ittihad eventually took the lead. A Bergwijn cross from the right flank found Benzema, who made absolutely no mistake with his header from close range.

Houssem Aouar doubled the lead when another cross found Benzema's header that was saved by Csteels, but Aouar was there to head in the rebound in an empty net. It was just a reward for their dominance after the first 10 minutes of the half.

Just when it felt like Ittihad would go into half-time with a 2-goal cushion, Al-Qadsiah were given a penalty when Al-Shaqiti recklessly kicked Puertas on the shin. Aubameyang made no mistake from the spot, and the referee blew the halftime whistle to make the game evenly poised.

The second half saw a pattern emerging with Ittihad attacking whenever they got the opportunity, but happy to sit on the lead and letting their opponents attack and create space for them to exploit. Qadsiah saw the wind knocked out of them, with Ezequiel Fernandez getting sent off for a second yellow. From there, it was just one-way traffic as Benzema scored again to seal the trophy for his side. Here are the Al-Ittihad vs Al-Qadsiah Player Ratings for the game.

Al-Ittihad Player Ratings vs Al-Qadsiah

GK- Predrag Rajokvic- 5.5/10

Had a couple of routine saves to make in the first half. Went the wrong way as he failed to keep out Aubameyang's penalty.

RB- Muhannad Shanqeeti- 5/10

Gave away a needless penalty when his team were comfortably ahead in the game. Was ordinary defensively as well.

RCB- Abdulelah Al-Amri- 6/10

He was disciplined and staunch in his ground defending. Was tidy in possession too, completing 88% of his passes

LCB- Danilo Pereira- 6/10

Did well to use his strength to largely keep Aubameyang at bay. He was also successful with almost all his long diagonals and play switches.

LB- Mario Mitaj- 6.5/10

He was a busy presence down the left as he thwarted many attacks from that flank. He was also a pretty willing outlet from that flank in terms of attacking presence as well.

CDM- N'golo Kante- 6/10

A typically industrious performance from the Frenchman that we are so used to seeing. Full of running and energy. Also attempted a couple of good crosses in the box as well.

CDM- Fabinho- 6/10

The Brazilian was the more defensive of the two as he shielded his backline from the Qadsiah attacks. He was strong in his duels and tidy with recycling possession.

RW- Moussa Diaby- 6/10

The tricky winger was full of pace, verve, and energy, but his keenness to make things happen meant that he overran the ball on multiple occasions. Had a golden chance to give his side the lead but fluffed his 1 v 1 opportunity.

CAM- Houssem Aouar- 8.5/10

The Algerian was the best player on the pitch as he ran the show from midfield. He pulled the strings with every attack. Got the second goal after reacting quickest to get to Benzema's follow-up.

LW- Steven Bergwijn- 7/10

The Dutchman provided the assist for the opening goal, with his well-directed cross helping Benzema to score. He was lively whenever he had the ball, causing trouble for his marker time and time again.

ST- Karim Benzema- 8/10

The veteran may have fluffed a few chances to begin with, but he could not be kept out of the game as he scored the opener with a thumping header. He could have had two if not for an excellent save, but seeing that the rebound was converted into a goal, he would not mind much. Led the line with full intensity and verve. Scored his second right at the death to secure the trophy for his side.

Sub- Abdulrahman Alobud- N/A

Late sub. Did not have much time to make an impact.

Sub- Hamed Al Ghamdi- N/A

Late sub. Did not have much time to make an impact.

Sub- Saleh Al-Shehri- N/A

Late sub. Did not have much time to make an impact

Manager- Laurent Blanc- 7/10

He was spot on with his tactics today. Focused most of his attacking play through the wings and continued to play that way. Was tactically spot on as both goals came from some very good wing-play.

Al-Qadsiah Player Ratings vs Al-Ittihad

GK- Koen Casteels- 6.5/10

Was the busier of the two keepers by a fair margin. While he could not do much with the goals, he pulled off several stops to keep the scoreline respectable.

RCB- Jehad Thakri- 4.5/10

The defender had an off-game as he found the occasion a bit too much to handle. Got his angles all wrong as he was left out of position for the first goal. Should have done better for the second as well.

CB- Nacho Fernandez- 5/10

He was fortunate to escape a penalty claim following a handball in the box. But he was a solid presence at the heart of defense.

LCB- Gaston Alvarez- 5/10

Had a good game as he was a threat in attack. Had a shot saved in the first half. Like the rest of the defense, he was culpable for giving away the first goal rather cheaply.

RWB- Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat- 4.5/10

Poor game as he was turned time and again by Bergwijn. Let him pass through him rather easily in the buildup to the opening goal.

CM- Nahitan Nandez- 5/10

Calm. Solid. Unfussy. Did his bit tidily without any fuss whatsoever

CM- Ezequiel Fernandez- 5/10

He was booked, but had an overall positive impact on the game with his long passing and disruption of play. Was sent off late in the second half for a second bookable offense.

CM-Cameron Puertas- 6.5/10

He was the liveliest for his side in attack. Tried to make things happen every time he touched the ball. Won the penalty that led to Aubameyang halving the deficit.

LWB- Turki Al-Ammar- 6/10

He was the bright spot in the attack, along with Puertas. Tried to create from his crosses and was also robust defensively. Was confusingly subbed at half-time.

ST- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang- 6/10

Scored a calm penalty to halve the deficit. However, he was not very involved in the game before or after the penalty.

ST- Julian Quinones- 4/10

Utterly ineffective performance. He was on the periphery of the game throughout, and it is a surprise that he played this long, given his total lack of contribution in the game.

Sub- Ali Hazazi

Performed decently when called upon. However, he could not have a tangible impact on proceedings.

Sub- Iker Almena- N/A

Late sub. Did not have much time to make an impact.

Sub- Ibrahim Mahnashi- N/A

Late sub. Did not have much time to make an impact.

Sub- Hussain Al-Monassar- N/A

Late sub. Did not have much time to make an impact.

Manager- Michel - 5/10

Started the game well, but the gulf in class eventually came through. However, that should not digress from the fact that his side were there in the game for long stretches. He would have been a different story had some chances been taken.

Sportsdunia Player of the match goes to Houssem Aouar.