Saudi Arabia end 23-year wait to win Gulf Cup with victory over UAE

Saudi Arabia won the Gulf Cup for the first time in 23 years after beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final of Gulf Cup 27.

Hamam Al-Hammami and Firas Al-Buraikan scored the goals as Saudi Arabia secured their fourth title in the competition.

Before kick-off, supporters in the Alinma Stadium unveiled a tiffo reading: “We only throw what is destined to hit.” The players delivered on that message by scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes and bringing Saudi Arabia’s long wait for another trophy to an end.

The victory moved Saudi Arabia level with Iraq in second place among the competition’s most successful teams, with four titles. Kuwait remain the record holders with 10 Gulf Cup triumphs.

Saudi Arabia’s previous title had come in the 2003-04 edition. Since then, they had lost the 2007 Asian Cup final to Iraq and four Gulf Cup finals, while finishing third at the 2025 Arab tournament.

Greek manager Georgios Donis became the fourth coach to lead Saudi Arabia to Gulf Cup glory. He followed national team managers Mohammed Al-Kharashy, who won in 1994, and Nasser Al-Johar, who triumphed in 2002, as well as Dutch coach Gerard van der Lem, who guided them to the 2003-04 title.

Fast start decides final

Firas Al-Buraikan and Saleh Abu Al-Shamat started in attack for Saudi Arabia, while United Arab Emirates selected Othman Kamara, who had scored the winning goal against Oman in the semi-final. Khalid Essa was named in goal.

United Arab Emirates created the first significant chance in the eighth minute when Nicolas Gimenez attempted an overhead kick, but Saudi Arabia took the lead three minutes later.

Al-Hammami’s powerful effort struck a defender, wrong-footed Essa and found the net.

Saudi Arabia doubled their advantage just two minutes later. A flowing passing move ended with Al-Buraikan finishing in the 13th minute, prompting further celebrations in the stands.

They nearly added a third in the 15th minute when Abu Al-Shamat went through, evaded the defence and lifted a fine effort over the goalkeeper, but the ball struck the post.

United Arab Emirates hit the woodwork themselves in the 23rd minute after Gimenez broke clear, while a shot from Paulo Henrique went narrowly wide of the right post in the 56th minute as they sought a way back into the match.

Referee Jalal Jed initially awarded United Arab Emirates a penalty in the 38th minute, but overturned the decision after reviewing the incident on video, deciding there had been no foul.

Essa denied Mohammed Kanno a third Saudi goal in the 67th minute. United Arab Emirates then struck the crossbar through Fabio Lima in the 88th minute before Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais saved a header.

Saudi Arabia completed the tournament without conceding, extending their defensive record to 480 minutes. They became the third team to win the Gulf Cup without allowing a goal, after Kuwait in 1974 and Oman in 2009.

Tensions rose between the players in the closing stages, but Saudi Arabia held on to return to the top of Gulf football.