Kanno's injury-time winner sends Saudi Arabia into FIFA Arab Cup semis

Al Hilal midfielder Mohammed Kanno proved the hero for Saudi Arabia as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup with an extra-time victory against Palestine.

Herve Renard’s side, packed full of Roshn Saudi League stars, came through a testing last-eight encounter at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Thursday, triumphing 2-1 in the end.

It was Feras Al Buraikan who opened the scoring just before the hour, the Al Ahli forward converting coolly from the spot after captain Salem Al Dawsari had been felled inside the Palestine penalty area.

 

However, Saudi’s opponents responded brilliantly when, only six minutes later, Oday Dabbagh controlled the ball superbly to finish past Al Nassr No.1 Nawaf Al Aqidi and level matters.

Saudi Arabia had a strong penalty shout overturned by VAR in the closing stages until, ultimately, it was left to Kanno to send his team through.

With a tense shootout looking likely, the in-form Al Hilal man rose high five minutes from the conclusion of extra-time to meet Al Dawsari’s cross and head powerfully into the net. It marked Kanno’s third goal of the tournament.

Kanno and Co are into the semi-finals on Monday, where they will meet either Jordan or an Iraq side boasting RSL pair Ibrahim Bayesh and Ali Jasim. They take on Jordan in Al Rayyan on Friday.

Speaking after the match, Renard said: “[Reaching the semi-final] is most important, but we have to congratulate Palestine. Because it was their fifth game [Palestine had to come through a play-off to reach the group stage]. They fight and they did very well.

“Of course, we are happy to be qualified for the semi-finals, but also congratulations to them.”