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March 30, 2024

Third-place finisher Al-Ittihad overtook Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League

Al-Ittihad’s resilience was on full display as they defeated Al-Fayha 3-1 on Friday, despite another missed penalty by Karim Benzema. This victory propelled them to fourth place in the Saudi League, just two points behind their rivals, Al-Ahli of Jeddah.

The home crowd in Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium was briefly silenced when Abdelhamid Sabiri converted a penalty in the 25th minute, giving the visitors a surprising lead. However, the reigning champions regrouped and determinedly rallied rather than being discouraged. Their resilience paid off as they fought back to secure a 3-1 victory, marking their sixth consecutive win in the league and solidifying their status as strong contenders in the Roshn Saudi League.

Early on, though, things did not appear promising. Benzema, who had only recently returned from an injury that had kept him out of the previous five games, saw Vladimir Stojkovic quickly get to his right and save his spot kick in the 20th minute. This season, it was the former Real Madrid striker’s fourth missed penalty across all competitions.

Five minutes later, Ahmed Hegazi’s challenge on Henry Onyekuru resulted in a penalty for the visitors, worsening the hosts’ situation. Abdelhamid Sabiri stepped up to take the spot-kick and, showing composure, converted it successfully, giving Al-Fayha the lead and capitalizing on the opportunity that Benzema had missed earlier.

Just five minutes later, the Tigers equalized. A pinpoint cross from Fawaz Al-Yami on the right found Abderrazak Hamdallah at the far post, and the Moroccan striker made no mistake from close range. Benzema quickly shook off his earlier penalty disappointment, turning provider just before the break by threading a pass to Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, who skillfully maneuvered on the right side of the area to put Marcelo Gallardo’s side ahead.

The match reached a thrilling climax as both teams pressed forward in the second half, eager for the crucial next goal. The tension was palpable until the 94th minute when Marwan Al-Sahafi scored, sealing a potentially pivotal win for the hosts. This victory brings them closer to their local rivals, Al-Ahli, who drew 2-2 with Ettifaq in Dammam on the same day.

Firas Al-Buraikan, who recently scored for Saudi Arabia against Tajikistan in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, opened the scoring for Al-Ahli just eight minutes into the match, with much of the credit going to Riyad Mahrez, who delivered a perfect assist for Al-Buraikan’s close-range finish.

Both teams had their chances, but Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard had reason to smile around halftime. In first-half injury time, Seko Fofana equalized with a well-placed shot from a tight angle. Shortly after the break, the hosts surged forward. Although Moussa Dembele’s shot from the left side of the area took a deflection, it was ultimately credited as his goal.

With just two minutes remaining, the home crowd erupted in anticipation as Riyad Mahrez delivered a clever pass to Abdullah Al-Ammar. Al-Ammar seized the moment, scoring the equalizer and snuffing out Ettifaq’s hopes of a famous victory, much to the dismay of their supporters.

As a result, Al-Ahli remained in third place while Ettifaq held onto sixth. Al-Taawoun moved seven points ahead in the fifth after a commanding 4-0 victory over Al-Hazm. Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej, currently sitting in 10th, continued their strong season with a 1-0 win against Damac, who are three spots above them.

The anticipation is high for the upcoming matches. The top two, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, are set to play on Saturday, with Al-Hilal facing Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr up against Al-Tai. These matches are sure to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.

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