Al Ain thrash Al Jazira 4-1 to clinch eighth UAE President’s Cup crown

Al Ain delivered a commanding performance to lift the UAE President’s Cup, overwhelming regional rivals Al Jazira 4-1 in a thrilling final at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday, bringing the 2025-2026 football season to a spectacular close.

The emphatic triumph not only secured Al Ain their eighth President’s Cup title but also capped a stunning domestic double, coming just weeks after the club clinched their 15th UAE Pro League crown.

The victory underscored Al Ain’s dominance on the domestic stage and reinforced their position as one of the nation’s premier footballing powerhouses.

The match got off to an electrifying start, delivering an early shock for the reigning champions, Al Ain. Just 11 minutes into the game, Nabil Fekir showcased his trademark precision and composure, curling a stunning free kick from the edge of the penalty area that soared past the Al Ain goalkeeper and into the top corner.

The strike was not only a spectacular individual effort but also gave Al Jazira a dream start in the final, instantly energizing their players and supporters. For a moment, the champions appeared caught off guard, as the visitors celebrated the opening goal with palpable excitement, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle that promised drama and intensity for the remainder of the match.

The lead, however, was short-lived. Soufiane Rahimi, Al Ain’s talismanic forward, quickly restored parity just four minutes later with a composed finish, signaling the start of a relentless fightback.

Rahimi continued to torment the Al Jazira defence, and in the 20th minute, he unleashed a powerful strike that put Al Ain ahead, leaving the league champions stunned.

Al Ain’s dominance only grew as the first half progressed. Abdul Karim Traore delivered a decisive blow just before halftime, tapping in a third goal in the 44th minute to give Al Ain a commanding 3-1 lead and psychological edge heading into the break.

The second half saw Al Jazira push forward in search of a comeback, but Al Ain’s defence held firm, denying the opponents any opportunity to stage a revival.

In the dying moments of stoppage time, Erik Jorgens sealed the victory, slotting home a fourth goal to cap off a memorable performance and ignite wild celebrations among the Al Ain faithful in the capital.

The win highlighted Al Ain’s remarkable teamwork, tactical discipline, and individual brilliance, with Rahimi’s heroics and the contributions of Traore and Jorgens proving decisive.

The club’s ability to respond swiftly to setbacks, combined with their attacking fluidity, made the final a showcase of why Al Ain remains a dominant force in UAE football.

As the season concludes, Al Ain’s fans and players can savor a historic double, while the rest of the league reflects on a season dominated by their relentless pursuit of excellence.

Recently, Al Ain produced one of the greatest seasons in UAE football history during the 2025-2026 Pro League campaign, turning an ambitious dream into a historic reality.

From the opening matchweek, Al Ain set their sights on more than just winning the title. The team pursued a season that would be remembered forever — and delivered exactly that.

They crowned an extraordinary campaign by lifting the league trophy without suffering a single defeat, completing a historic ‘Golden League’ season that will remain one of the defining achievements in UAE football history.

Al Ain’s success was not built on results alone. The team showcased the mentality of true champions through consistency, discipline, confidence, and determination from the first match to the last. It was a complete season in every sense — one that combined records, performances, and unforgettable moments.

The club secured its 15th league title overall and sixth during the professional era, finishing the campaign with 68 points to equal the highest points tally in the ADNOC Pro League history, previously achieved by Al Jazira in the 2016-2017 season.

Al Ain also became the first team in league history to complete an entire 26-match season unbeaten, achieving the famous “Golden League” feat for the first time in more than 40 years.

The champions extended their incredible consistency by reaching 33 consecutive league matches without defeat, the longest unbeaten streak in the history of the competition. The team also recorded 11 straight league victories for the first time in club history.

Across the season, Al Ain collected 21 victories, the highest number of wins ever achieved by the club in the professional league era, surpassing the previous mark of 20 wins set during the 2021-2022 season.

Defensively, the team was equally outstanding, conceding only 18 goals throughout the campaign — the third-best defensive record in club history after the 2011-2012 and 2021-2022 seasons.