Al-Ittihad delivered a commanding performance to defeat rivals Al-Hilal 4-1 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to seven points. A brace from Steven Bergwijn and a late strike from Karim Benzema capped off a dominant display, solidifying Al-Ittihad’s position as strong title favorites.
Al-Hilal initially took the lead in the 23rd minute when Marcos Leonardo finished off a Joao Cancelo cross. However, the advantage was brief. Hassan Kadish equalized for Al-Ittihad just six minutes later, and Bergwijn put the hosts ahead with a powerful finish shortly before halftime.
Bergwijn extended the lead early in the second half, capitalizing on an assist from N’Golo Kante. Despite Al-Hilal dominating possession and generating 16 shots in the second half compared to Al-Ittihad’s five, they were unable to convert their chances. Benzema sealed the victory in the 86th minute, volleying home from a Moussa Diaby corner.
Benzema Matches Ronaldo’s Goal Tally
Karim Benzema’s late goal brought his season tally to 16, drawing him level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Saudi Pro League scoring charts. Notably, Benzema achieved this milestone in fewer matches and with a lower expected goals (xG) tally (13.1 compared to Ronaldo’s 16.6), highlighting his clinical finishing. His shot conversion rate of 21.6% also surpasses Ronaldo’s.
Contrasting Fortunes
The victory marked Al-Ittihad’s fourth consecutive win and their 15th in their last 17 league matches, underlining their impressive consistency under manager Laurent Blanc. Conversely, Al-Hilal’s defeat adds to their recent struggles, with only one win in their last five league outings after a previous run of five straight victories. The result significantly impacts the title race, placing Al-Ittihad in a commanding position as the season progresses.
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