Al Ahly vs Al Ittihad Match Recap - Oct 22, 2025

Al Ahly Fortifies Top Four Position with Hard-Fought Win Over Al Ittihad

In a match that unfolded with the intensity and drama befitting the Egyptian Premier League, Al Ahly emerged victorious over Al Ittihad with a narrow 2-1 scoreline at Al Salam Stadium. While my pre-match prediction leaned heavily toward an Al Ahly rout, the reality proved more complex as Al Ittihad demonstrated resilience, fighting hard to stay afloat in a perilous relegation battle.

The evening kicked off with Achraf Bencharki putting Al Ahly in the driver's seat early on in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot home a crucial opening goal. Bencharki's strike ignited the home crowd, and the atmosphere quickly shifted to that of expectancy, with fans hopeful for a decisive performance from their team. The rhythm of the game favored Al Ahly, who controlled possession and dictated the pace, often threatening Al Ittihad's goal but never fully delivering the knockout blow in the first half.

However, the dynamics changed significantly in the second half. Al Ahly was awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute when Ahmed Nabil Koka was fouled in the box. Zizo calmly dispatched the penalty, doubling Al Ahly's lead and seemingly putting the match on cruise control. But just as it seemed Al Ahly would waltz to victory, the 68th-minute strike from Fady Farid reignited hope for Al Ittihad, who had been teetering on the brink of despair in the league standings. Farid's goal was a reminder that every match carries its own narrative, regardless of statistics or league positions.

As the match progressed, tensions mounted, culminating in a flashpoint that might well have altered the game's trajectory. In the 78th minute, Koka received a straight red card for a late challenge, reducing Al Ahly to ten men. Then, in the 84th minute, Karim El Deeb of Al Ittihad followed suit, his second yellow card leaving both teams to navigate the final moments with diminished squad sizes.

Ultimately, Al Ahly's experience and organizational discipline allowed them to see out the match, clinching a vital three points that placed them fourth in the league standings, now boasting 18 points from nine games. For Al Ittihad, however, the road ahead remains rocky. With only eight points from nine matches, their precarious standing at 17th leaves little room for complacency.

This clash served both as a testament to Al Ahly's pursuit of domestic supremacy and as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by teams battling relegation. With their upcoming fixtures looming large, Al Ittihad must harness the fighting spirit displayed here and convert potential into points. Conversely, Al Ahly will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to maintain their championship aspirations.

As the season continues, every match will carry weight, every point will matter, and in this unpredictable world of football, the narrative is ever-evolving. The stage is set for more drama, and both teams will be keenly aware that their next performances could prove crucial in defining their seasons.