Saudi Arabia advanced to the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup after defeating Qatar 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in Saturday’s semifinal at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The victory marks Saudi Arabia’s first appearance in the Gulf Cup final since 2019, with Mukhtar Ali converting the decisive penalty in front of a tournament-record crowd of 51,342 spectators.

Both teams struggled to find the net during regular and extra time. Saudi Arabia controlled much of the possession and created more chances, registering seven shots with four on target, compared to Qatar’s two attempts, but were unable to break through Qatar’s resilient defense, backed by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada’s crucial saves. Qatar, the reigning Asian champions, relied on a more defensive approach, with their coach Julen Lopetegui citing fatigue, a tight schedule, and challenging conditions in Jeddah as factors shaping the team’s strategy.

The match remained scoreless after 90 minutes and continued through extra time without a breakthrough. Saudi Arabia made several substitutions late in the game to inject fresh energy, but neither side could capitalize. Controversial moments included Saudi appeals for penalties dismissed by VAR and a penalty claim against Saudi forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan that was instead called against him for initiating contact.

The shootout began unfavorably for Qatar when forward Almoez Ali missed the first penalty. Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais played a key role, saving multiple attempts including those of Jassem Gaber and Boualem Khoukhi. Qatar’s Abunada also made important saves, keeping his team competitive. However, after a series of misses from both sides, Mukhtar Ali’s successful kick sealed Saudi Arabia’s 3-2 shootout win. Feras Al-Buraikan missed a crucial penalty for Saudi Arabia, but Qatar could not capitalize on the opportunity.

Saudi Arabia will now face the winner of the semifinal between the United Arab Emirates and Oman in the final scheduled for Tuesday. The Green Falcons are seeking their fourth Gulf Cup title, having previously won the tournament in 1994, 2002, and 2003.

For Qatar, the loss represents another disappointment following a winless exit at the World Cup earlier this year. Lopetegui acknowledged the pressures on his team amid a demanding season and the psychological challenges that affected their penalty execution. “We faced a strong team that played well, and for us, we had to play defensively because we played against a strong team,” he said, also highlighting the impact of player fatigue and hot weather conditions.

The semifinal showcased the intense rivalry and fine margins between two of the region’s top footballing nations, drawing a record crowd and setting the stage for a highly anticipated Gulf Cup final.