Al-Ittihad’s issue isn't a lack of ambition or talent; it's a cold, hard truth laid bare by Al-Qadsiah: they struggle to finish what they start. At the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, Round 17 of the 2025-2026 season delivered a stark verdict on the title hopefuls, as Al-Qadsiah dismantled Al-Ittihad 2-1 in a performance that was as gritty as it was clinical.

The numbers speak with an almost brutal honesty. Al-Ittihad, despite their star power and territorial dominance, managed a single goal from five shots on target. That goal, a Karim Benzema penalty in the 29th minute, felt more like a reprieve than a statement of intent. In stark contrast, Al-Qadsiah found the back of the net twice from just two shots on target throughout the entire match. This isn't merely efficiency; it's a surgical precision that Al-Ittihad desperately lacked, coupled with an impenetrable goalkeeper who denied everything else.

Possession's Empty Promise

For large stretches of the game, Al-Ittihad dictated the tempo, holding 44% of possession and completing 358 accurate passes. Yet, this numerical superiority in the build-up amounted to little more than a frustrating illusion. Qadsiah, the home side, were content to absorb pressure, boasting 56% possession themselves, but critically, they converted their chances when it mattered most. Their tactical discipline rendered Al-Ittihad's intricate passing a hollow exercise.

The immediate response to Benzema's penalty was perhaps the most defining moment of the evening. Just eight minutes after falling behind, Julián Quiñones restored parity for Al-Qadsiah. This wasn't a team rattled by an early setback; it was a side with a clear game plan and the conviction to execute it. Quiñones then compounded Ittihad's misery in the 59th minute, securing his brace and the victory, a testament to Al-Qadsiah’s sharp attacking transitions.

Qadsiah's Engine Room Dictates Terms

Central to Al-Qadsiah's triumph was the tireless work rate in midfield and defense. Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, rightly crowned the MVP with an 8.3 rating, epitomized this effort. His three key passes were instrumental in breaking Al-Ittihad’s lines, but it was his defensive contribution — two tackles and two interceptions — that truly anchored the team's resilience. Alongside him, the likes of Danilo Pereira and Nacho Fernández formed a formidable barrier, with Qadsiah winning an impressive 72% of their tackles compared to Ittihad's 47%.

Qadsiah's 25 tackles, significantly more than Al-Ittihad's 15, underscore a fundamental difference in approach and intensity. While Al-Ittihad attempted more dribbles (22 vs 15), Qadsiah's recovery count of 56 highlighted their proactive approach to winning back possession, turning defensive solidity into attacking opportunities. Al-Ittihad's goalkeeper, on the other hand, was never called upon to make a save, a damning indictment of their opposition's finishing.

This result is more than just three points for Al-Qadsiah; it's a blueprint for how to expose the Achilles' heel of a team like Al-Ittihad. For Sérgio Conceição's men, the introspection must be deep and immediate. The talent is undeniable, the opportunities are there, but until they bridge the chasm between chance creation and ruthless execution, they will remain vulnerable to sides who dare to be more clinical.