Al Hilal Dominates Al Ittihad in Saudi Pro League Clash

Al Hilal extended its lead in the Saudi Professional League with a decisive 3-1 victory over Al Ittihad in the 22nd round clash at the Kingdom Arena.

The win propels Al Hilal to the top of the standings with 62 points, placing them nine points ahead of second-placed Al Nassr, who drew 4-4 with Al Hazm in the same round.

In a thrilling encounter, Al Hilal showcased their dominance with goals from Saleh Al-Shehri, Malcom, and Saud Abdulhamid to secure the win.

Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, faced a tough challenge in the absence of star striker Karim Benzema, who was sidelined with an injury.

The opening goal came in the 12th minute as N’Golo Kante, formerly of Chelsea, stunned the crowd with a header, giving Al Ittihad the lead.

However, Al Hilal fought back, equalizing in the 39th minute with a goal from Saleh Al-Shehri, before taking the lead with Malcom’s header in the second half.

Despite Al-Ittihad’s efforts, they were unable to contain Al Hilal’s relentless attacks, leading to Saud Abdulhamid’s goal in the 66th minute, sealing the victory.

Al Hilal’s 25-game winning streak is a testament to their formidable form this season, placing them as strong contenders for the league title.

The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch between Al Hilal and Al Ittihad in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals next week.