Saudi Arabia defeat Iraq 2-0 to stay top in Gulf Cup group

Saudi Arabia secured a 2-0 victory over Iraq on Tuesday evening in the third round of the group stage at the 27th Gulf Cup, maintaining their perfect record at the top of the group after having already clinched a place in the semifinals in the previous round.

Saudi Arabia waited until the 54th minute to open the scoring, when Abdullah Al-Salem capitalized on a rebound from the Iraqi goalkeeper to find the net.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a second goal in the 69th minute, receiving the ball inside the penalty area and finishing with his left foot to extend Saudi Arabia's lead.

Iraq had threatened in the 38th minute, when Saif Rashid broke through on goal against Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Owais, but the referee halted play for offside.

Just before halftime, Iraq's Mustafa Saadoun left the pitch with a serious injury and was replaced by Ibrahim Bayesh.

At the start of the second half, Saudi head coach Donis made his first substitution, bringing on Mohammed Al-Qahtani for Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat. In the 59th minute, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and Firas Al-Buraikan entered the match in place of Abdullah Al-Salem and Sultan Mandash.