JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia secured a deserved 1–0 victory over Ivory Coast in Jeddah on Friday, with an early strike from Saleh Aboulshamat proving decisive at King Abdullah Sports City.
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The hosts made a fast start and were rewarded in the eighth minute when Aboulshamat finished confidently after a sharp attacking move, catching Emerse Fae’s side flat-footed.
From there, the Green Falcons’ disciplined 4-3-3 structure limited the African champions’ opportunities to respond.
Ivory Coast, who lined up in a 4-4-2, endured a frustrating evening and struggled to create meaningful chances despite expectations of a more open contest.
