JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad took a big step towards claiming the Saudi Pro League title on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Al-Hilal.
The victory in Jeddah puts the Tigers seven points clear of their Riyadh rivals with 13 games of the season remaining.
The defeat means Al-Hilal, who strolled to a record 19th championship in 2024, have won just one of their last five games and are struggling to keep pace with Al-Ittihad, victorious in 15 of their last 17 league games.
Despite the defeat, Al-Hilal took the lead midway through the first half of the top-of-the-table clash. Joao Cancelo whipped in a wicked ball from the right, with Marcos Leonardo ready to poke it home at the near post for a real poacher’s goal.
On the half hour however, Al-Ittihad were back on level terms. Moussa Diaby, continuing his recent great form, swung over a corner kick from the right for Hassan Kadesh to head home.
The Jeddah giants’ game improved further when Steve Bergwijn put them ahead just before the break. Karim Benzema slipped a pass wide for Diaby and the former Aston Villa star sent over a perfect cross for Bergwijn to head home at the second attempt, the first blocked by Yassine Bounou in goal.
The Dutchman was on target once more six minutes after the restart. N’Golo Kante broke down the right and the former Chelsea midfielder pulled the ball back for Bergwijn to bundle home from close range.
Al-Hilal pushed forward but fell further behind four minutes from the end in spectacular fashion.
Diaby’s corner from the right landed in the left side of the box and there was Karim Benzema to volley his 16th goal of the league season, putting him level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the individual rankings.
The bigger prize, however, is that Al-Ittihad now have a comfortable cushion over their title rivals.
