The date of today’s matches Fixtures & Details (19-August-2025)

Saudi football is full of fiery confrontations, but when we mention Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, we’re talking about two of the most prestigious and popular Saudi clubs. Their matches always attract huge fan and media attention, especially when their ambitions meet in a decisive match such as the Saudi Super Cup. This tournament has a special character because it brings together the league champion and the cup champion, or the two teams that qualified from the new system in recent editions.

In this article, we shed light on the history of confrontations between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, specifically in the Saudi Super Cup. We analyze the rivalry between them from an exclusive perspective, moving beyond mere statistics. We review the background, historical sensitivities, tactics, and reactions, revealing how this encounter became one of the most popular in the history of the Saudi Super Cup.

Introduction to the Saudi Super Cup

The Saudi Super Cup was officially launched in its first edition in 2013. It aims to crown the champion of champions in Saudi football, and is usually held between the league champion and the King’s Cup champion. With the development of the tournament and the recent adoption of a four-team format, opportunities for major teams to participate have increased, including Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad.

Both teams have participated in Saudi Super Cup matches with a unique flavor, each seeking to assert its prestige and history, not only by winning the title, but also by defeating a long-standing rival.

The Most Notable Match: The 2023 Super Cup

One of the most notable encounters between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in the Super Cup was the semi-final match between them in the 2023 Saudi Super Cup. This match was held under a new format featuring four teams for the first time, instead of a single match between the league champion and the cup champion.

Pre-match Atmosphere

The two teams entered the match amid unprecedented media hype. Al-Nassr had signed global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in a deal that caused a global stir, and the Super Cup match marked his official tournament debut with the team. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad was experiencing its best period under Portuguese coach Nuno Santo and boasted a fiery attack led by Abderrazak Hamdallah, a former Al-Nassr player.

Rivalry Context

The match wasn’t just a semifinal; it was more like an early final. Al-Nassr was looking for its first title under Cristiano Ronaldo, while Al-Ittihad wanted to prove that it wasn’t affected by the media hype and that it was capable of conquering stars through collective performance and tactical discipline.

Match Details

Al-Ittihad entered the match with a high level of focus, relying on quick counterattacks.

Romarinho scored a brilliant goal in the first half, followed by Hamdallah’s second goal with a killer header, confirming that it still had a vendetta against its former team.

Al-Nassr reduced the deficit through Talisca, but time was running out.

The match ended 2-1 in favor of Al-Ittihad, advancing to the final and eliminating Al-Nassr from the tournament.

Post-Match Messages

Al-Ittihad proved that it isn’t a team that relies on names, but rather on a system.

Al-Nassr realized that building a champion team doesn’t come only through signings; it requires harmony and time.

Hamdallah emerged a hero in front of his former club’s fans, and his controversial celebration was the talk of the media.

The Impact of the Match on Both Teams
Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad’s victory over Al-Nasr in the Super Cup gave them a tremendous morale boost, especially since the match was a test of mental preparedness. The team then continued their season with confidence and was later crowned league champions, making the Super Cup victory over Al-Nasr a major turning point in their journey.

Al-Nasr

The loss was tough for Al-Nasr, especially since hopes were high following the arrival of Ronaldo. However, despite the exit, the team began a process of correcting its course, working to strengthen the squad with new players, and the outlines of a strong team gradually began to take shape.

Technical Analysis of the Matches Between Al-Nasr and Al-Ittihad in the Super Cup
Tactical Style

Al-Ittihad often enters these matches with relative caution, relying on defensive solidity and quick attacks from its players. It possesses tactical flexibility that enables it to quickly transition from defense to attack, especially with the presence of players like Coronado and Romarinho.

Al-Nasr, on the other hand, tends to maintain possession and try to dictate the tempo from midfield. With international stars in its squad, such as Ronaldo and Talisca, and the emergence of local players like Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Sultan Al-Ghannam, the team always strives to impose itself with its offensive power.

Technical Keys

At Al-Ittihad: Hamdallah poses the greatest threat thanks to his ability to score from half-chances, while Coronado forms the link between the midfield and the attack.

At Al-Nassr: The striking force lies on the flanks, with through balls from the midfielders, and set pieces are dangerous thanks to the presence of Ronaldo and Talisca.

The Fan and Media Aspect

What distinguishes the matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in the Super Cup is that they are not only played on the grass, but also extend to the media and fan spheres. Fans of both teams consider this match a “clasico of fire,” and a victory means a lot, whether in terms of pride, asserting dominance, or even mockery on social media.

In the 2023 Super Cup, for example, tickets for the match sold out within hours, and the stands were filled with tens of thousands of fans, a scene that reflects the overwhelming popularity of both teams.

What do the upcoming matches hold?

The Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad matches in the Saudi Super Cup will not stop at one encounter. Both teams possess the tools to compete, and their history proves that they are always at the heart of events. With the development of the tournament, its format changing, and the intensification of local competition in Saudi Arabia, we are expected to witness more fiery encounters between the two giants.

We may see more dramatic confrontations in future editions, and the balance may shift from one team to another. What is certain is that every match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup will be full of excitement and rivalry, and will remain the talk of the fans and media for days after the final whistle.