Al Ittihad Continues Dominance With 2-1 Victory Over Al Riyadh
The Saudi Professional League team, Al Ittihad, is showing no signs of slowing down as they secured another significant win against Al Riyadh. On March 13, 2025, at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Al Ittihad triumphed with a score of 2-1, marking their 19th victory of the season and extending their lead at the top of the league.
The match began with both teams eager to take control, but it was Al Ittihad, led by Karim Benzema, who struck first. During the early minutes of the game, Benzema found the back of the net, capitalizing on the rebound from the crossbar. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review which determined his teammate had interfered with play by being offside.
Despite this setback, Al Ittihad did not lose momentum. They dominated possession for much of the first half, though the Al Riyadh defense held firm, relying on strong counterattacks. The visitors did little to threaten the net, but their strategy of delaying the game began to pay off as they looked to exploit gaps.
It wasn't until the second half when Al Ittihad finally broke through for their first goal. Moussa Diaby delivered on the left flank, showcasing his skill with a well-executed play. He maneuvered through the Al Riyadh defense and scored, igniting the home crowd and giving his team the momentum they desperately needed.
After the opening goal, the game's intensity increased significantly. With Al Riyadh trailing, they shifted to offensive mode, which opened up more space on the field. Ibrahim Bayesh capitalized on this strategy when he leveled the score at 1-1. After leading a counterattack from his own half, Bayesh scored with precision, ensuring the match would be fiercely contested as it approached the final minutes.
With the score tied, Al Ittihad was determined to reclaim the lead, and they pressed hard against the Al Riyadh goal. During injury time, the decisive moment of the match arrived when Al Ittihad was awarded a penalty. Karim Benzema, the star of the night, chose to forego the shot himself and passed the responsibility to Saleh Al Shehri. The latter confidently converted the penalty, sealing the victory for his team.
This victory not only demonstrates Al Ittihad's current form but also consolidates their position at the top of the Saudi Professional League standings. With this win, they pushed their points tally to 61, leaving Al Hilal trailing at 54 points and Al-Qadisiya at 51 points.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Durán, holds the fourth position with just 48 points and faces significant pressure to close the gap. A match against Al-Kholood looms for them, and they must perform exceptionally well to remain competitive as the title race heats up.
Al Ittihad's recent win, combined with their impressive streak of performances, has fans hopeful as they inch closer to potentially securing the championship title. The team continues to exhibit resilience, taking one match at a time and focusing on maintaining their winning streak.
The upcoming fixtures promise to be thrilling as the league season approaches its climax, and all eyes will be on whether Al Ittihad can sustain their momentum. For now, they remain the team to beat, demonstrating both skill and strategy on the pitch.