https://arab.news/2nhgr
- Friday鈥檚 other matches saw Asian champions Al-Ahli draw 0-0 with Al-Ettifaq, while Al-Shabab beat 10-man Al-Hazem 1-0
RIYADH: Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad maintained their perfect start to the 2025-26 season with a 4-2 win over Al-Fateh on Friday.
The win puts Al-Ittihad at the top of the early season table with the maximum six points from two matches, with several other teams 鈥� including Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr 鈥� on three points and yet to play during week two.
The match, held at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah, saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Al-Ittihad took the lead after 22 minutes through Algerian star Houssem Aouar but were pegged back 11 minutes later by Argentine Matias Vargas. Strikes by Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn in the 35th and 39th minutes, and the dismissal of Al-Fateh鈥檚 Moroccan striker Mourad Batna in stoppage time, ensured the reigning champions went into half-time with a comfortable two-goal cushion.
However, what was expected to be a straightforward second half was disrupted when Al-Ittihad鈥檚 goalkeeper, Serbian Predrag Rajkovic, was sent off just before the hour mark. The home fans鈥� nerves were not helped when Algerian forward Sofiane Bendebka reduced Al-Fateh鈥檚 deficit with a penalty on 69 minutes.
It remained a tense match until Saudi defender Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti settled matters in the first minute of stoppage time, scoring Al-Ittihad鈥檚 fourth.
Earlier on Friday, Asian champions Al-Ahli played out a 0-0 draw at Al-Ettifaq, while Al-Shabab beat 10-man Al-Hazem 1-0 in Riyadh thanks to Belgian international Yannick Carrasco鈥檚 64th-minute strike.