In the 1st semi-final of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, held on December 31, 2024, at the Jaber Al-Mubarak International Stadium in Kuwait City, Oman faced Saudi Arabia. Oman entered the match following an unbeaten run in the group stage, with draws against Kuwait and the UAE, and a victory over Qatar. Saudi Arabia, after an initial loss to Bahrain, secured their semi-final spot with wins against Yemen and Iraq.
The match was highly competitive, with both teams displaying strong offensive and defensive strategies. Saudi Arabia, under coach Hervé Renard, had been prolific in attack throughout the tournament, scoring a total of eight goals prior to the semi-final. However, they had also conceded six goals, indicating vulnerabilities in their defense.
Oman, known for their cohesive defense, aimed to capitalize on these defensive lapses. The match featured several key moments, including a penalty awarded to Oman in the 15th minute, successfully converted by Salaah Al-Yahyaei. Saudi Arabia responded in the 78th minute with a goal from Abdulrahman Ghareeb, leveling the score. The decisive moment came in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Ali Al-Bulaihi scored a header, securing Saudi Arabia’s victory and a place in the final.
For a visual recap of the match, you can watch the full highlights below: