Soccer-Saudi Arabia end 22-year wait for another Gulf Cup title


Soccer Football - Gulf Cup - Final - Saudi Arabia v United Arab Emirates - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 6, 2026 Saudi Arabia fans celebrate with flares after winning the Gulf Cup

JEDDAH, ⁠Saudi Arabia, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Hosts Saudi ⁠Arabia won the 27th Gulf Cup with ‌a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait to again lift ​the trophy.

Winger Hammam Al Hammami ⁠opened the scoring ⁠in the 11th minute with a deflected shot ⁠from the ‌edge of the box, sparking celebrations at King Abdullah Sports City.

Georgios ⁠Donis' side continued their impressive start, ​with Feras ‌Al Brikan making it 2-0 from close ⁠range two ​minutes later. They almost scored again when Saleh Abu Alshamat, who started alongside his brother ⁠Mohammed, hit the bar.

The UAE ​were awarded a penalty but VAR overturned the decision in the 38th minute.

Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed ⁠Al Owais denied Sultan Adil from close range after the interval before UAE forward Fabio Lima struck the bar in the 88th ​minute, leaving Saudi Arabia ⁠with a clean sheet throughout the tournament.

The triumph ​gave the Saudis a ‌fourth Gulf Cup title, their ​first since 2004.

(Reporting by Mohamed Yossry in Cairo, editing by Ken Ferris)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Football

Soccer-Ronaldo accuses coach Jesus of broken promises but leaves Portugal return open
Soccer-Kane matches Shilton's England appearance mark on milestone Wembley night
Soccer-Italian soccer chief to lose job but stay as special administrator
Soccer-Zidane begins France reign unbeaten and brimming with optimism
Soccer-Italian police target 22 'ultras' after violence at Torino-Juventus match
Soccer-France come from behind to thrash Belgium 4-1
Soccer-Bahrain part ways with Talajic after Gulf Cup early exit
Soccer-Liverpool match looms but Man City will know what to expect at Anfield
PM congratulates Harimau Malaya on third place effort, but says 'no special holiday'
Soccer-Premier League viewership up 20% among young Americans, Nielsen Sports data shows

Others Also Read