For a fleeting two minutes, Damac believed. Valentín Vada's opener in the 38th minute against Al-Ettifaq had ignited hope, sending a ripple of optimism through the home crowd. Yet, before that ripple could become a wave, Al-Ettifaq delivered a swift, brutal counterpunch that completely reshaped the narrative of their 3-1 victory.

The Brief Illusion of Control

Damac had largely dictated the early tempo, holding 54% possession and firing 12 shots towards Al-Ettifaq’s goal. Their passing game, with 429 total passes, aimed to assert control and probe for weaknesses. When Valentín Vada struck in the 38th minute, it felt like a deserved reward for their initiative, a signal that their statistical dominance might translate into three points.

The home side’s aggressive approach saw them win 55% of their duels and register an impressive 16 tackles, demonstrating a commitment to winning the ball. They pressed, they probed, and for a moment, they were ahead.

The Immediate, Decisive Reply

But then came the pivot. Barely two minutes after Vada's celebration, Khalid Al-Ghannam silenced the home support with a rapid equalizer for Al-Ettifaq. This wasn't just a goal; it was a psychological hammer blow, instantly nullifying Damac’s hard-won advantage and injecting a surge of belief into Al-Ettifaq that would define the rest of the match.

Al-Ghannam's quick response was the turning point, transforming a Damac lead into an even contest before the home side could consolidate their position. The momentum shifted palpably, and Al-Ettifaq, despite having less of the ball, now had the upper hand mentally.

Clinicality Trumps Quantity

The second half saw Al-Ettifaq build on this newfound momentum with ruthless efficiency. While Damac continued to chase the game, attempting 7 corners and 23 crosses throughout the match, Al-Ettifaq demonstrated a masterclass in converting limited opportunities. Their total of just 5 shots yielded an astounding 3 goals, a perfect conversion rate for their 3 shots on target.

Khalid Al-Ghannam, later named MVP for his phenomenal contribution, was at the heart of everything. He added his second goal in the 57th minute after Mohau Nkota provided the assist, further extending Al-Ettifaq's lead. Just eight minutes later, Al-Ghannam turned provider, setting up Georginio Wijnaldum to seal Al-Ettifaq’s commanding 3-1 victory and underscore their lethal precision.

Damac's Unrewarded Efforts

For Damac, it was a tale of unrewarded effort. Despite their numerical superiority in possession and shots, they could only convert one of their four shots on target. Their goalkeeper recorded zero saves, highlighting a struggle to contain the visitors once their attack clicked into gear. The contrast in clearances is stark: Al-Ettifaq made 36 clearances, compared to Damac's 7, suggesting a relentless defensive effort under pressure that ultimately paid off.

The statistics reveal a home side that fought hard, winning 44 duels and recovering the ball 45 times, but lacked the killer instinct in the final third. Their high number of crosses (23) resulting in only 3 successful ones points to a struggle in penetration and delivery quality, leaving their attacking efforts largely fruitless.

A Question of Conversion

Al-Ettifaq's victory wasn't built on sustained dominance, but on a moment of pure resilience and an unwavering clinical edge. They absorbed Damac’s early pressure, found their turning point, and then executed with lethal precision. For Damac, the question remains: how do you convert statistical superiority into a tangible lead, and more critically, how do you hold onto it when a rampant opponent is ready to pounce within seconds?