JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad took another decisive step toward the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title with a commanding 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Al-Hilal during their highly anticipated clash on Saturday. This significant win at King Abdullah Sport City allows Al-Ittihad to establish a seven-point lead over Al-Hilal, who are now struggling to keep pace with the league leaders.
It was Al-Hilal who struck first, taking the lead just after the 22nd minute. João Cancelo delivered a superb cross from the right, allowing Marcos Leonardo to deftly poke it home, much to the delight of their fans. But Al-Ittihad quickly responded, leveling the game just minutes later. Moussa Diaby swung over a precise corner kick, finding Hassan Kadesh, who powered the ball home with his head.
Things took a turn for the worse for Al-Hilal as the match edged toward halftime. Just before the break, Steven Bergwijn expertly scored Al-Ittihad’s second goal, taking advantage of Karim Benzema’s intelligent pass to Diaby, who then provided the perfect setup for Bergwijn to head home after his initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The second half saw Al-Ittihad continue to thrive. Just six minutes after the restart, Bergwijn struck again, finishing off a play initiated by N’Golo Kante, blasting the ball home from close range and sending the fans wild.
Despite Al-Hilal's attempts to regain control of the match, the tide had turned firmly against them. They bossed possession and took 16 shots but couldn't find the back of the net, facing stern opposition from Al-Ittihad’s sturdy defense.
Looking for ways to capitalize on their momentum, Al-Ittihad kept pressing forward, putting the game well out of reach for their rivals. With just four minutes left on the clock, Karim Benzema capped off the scoring with his sixteenth goal of the season. A well-taken corner from Diaby fell perfectly to him, allowing Benzema to volley the ball past Bounou, sealing Al-Ittihad's victory.
The win marks Al-Ittihad's fourth consecutive victory and 15 wins out of their last 17 games, cementing their status as serious title contenders. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal’s defeat leaves them scratching their heads, having now secured only one win out of their last five matches, raising urgent questions about their championship defense.
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A glance at the standings reveals Al-Ittihad firmly sitting at the top with 55 points, well clear of Al-Hilal's 48 points, which reflects the sharp turnaround of fortunes for both clubs. This match not only illustrated Al-Ittihad’s superior form and efficiency but also served as a stark reminder for Al-Hilal of the challenges they now face as they look to reclaim their lost glory.
Benzema’s goal places him level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scoring charts, igniting competition between two of football's biggest names. With 13 games remaining, the pursuit for the Saudi Pro League title promises to be intense. Al-Ittihad's dominance at this stage raises the stakes higher, making every upcoming match significant.
For Al-Ittihad fans, this victory was more than just another three points; it was proof of their team's resolve and capability of triumphing under pressure, laying the groundwork for what they hope to be their first SPL championship victory since 2009. Can they maintain this momentum and keep the title rivals at bay? Only time will tell, but based on this performance, signs point to the Tigers continuing to roar structurally through the league.