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Al Ittihad Tear Apart Al Gharafa with Seven-Goal Rout

Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad produced a rampant attacking display as they thrashed Qatar’s Al Gharafa 7-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite clash, sealing their place in the knockout rounds in emphatic fashion.

With this commanding victory, Al Ittihad moved up to 12 points, climbing to fifth place in the West Region standings, while Al Gharafa remained on six points in tenth, leaving their hopes of progression increasingly complicated. The win also provided a significant morale boost for Al Ittihad following their recent domestic setback against Al Nassr, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat, as the team this time showed fighting spirit and a cohesive collective performance.

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From the opening minutes, Al Ittihad imposed complete control over proceedings. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri, brought in to replace French star Karim Benzema following his move to Al Hilal, opened his account for the club in the third minute, converting a precise cross from Muhannad Al Shanqeeti with a first-time finish into the far corner, setting the tone for a goal-laden evening.

The hosts continued their attacking pressure and nearly doubled their lead in the 11th minute, when Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar set up French winger Moussa Diaby, who in turn squared the ball to Malian Mohamed Doumbia, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.

The second goal soon arrived in the 20th minute, as Aouar found the net after a well-worked move that began with a ball recovery by Brazilian midfielder Fabinho. The move flowed through Doumbia before reaching the Algerian, who fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.

Although a third goal by Portuguese winger Roger Fernandes in the 27th minute was ruled out for a foul, Al Ittihad emerged from the interval with even greater determination. Seconds into the second half, Fernandes made it 3-0, finishing off another accurate delivery from Al Shanqeeti. In the 58th minute, fellow Portuguese international Danilo Pereira added a fourth with a powerful header from a pinpoint cross by Aouar.

The attacking onslaught continued, and Aouar scored arguably the goal of the night in the 65th minute, combining brilliantly with En-Nesyri in the air following a cross from Diaby before volleying the ball into the net. Minutes later, Fernandes grabbed his second and his side’s sixth after being set up once again by Diaby.

Al Gharafa’s rare threat came in the 78th minute, when Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković denied substitute Álvaro Djaló to preserve his clean sheet. Just a minute later, Aouar completed his hat-trick with a low strike that found the corner, wrapping up a dominant performance and underlining Al Ittihad’s full readiness to continue their Asian campaign with confidence and high ambitions.

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