A great play in extra time by Karim Benzema, who missed a penalty in the first half, gave Al Ittihad a victory over Al Wehda (2-1) that keeps them at the top of the table. Saudi Pro League.
For its part, the leader Al Hilal did not disappoint against Al Ettifaq (2-0) and established a new record for consecutive victories in the championship.
Twenty-one days of the Saudi Pro League have been completed without any news. The top five won their matches. Benzema’s Al Ittihad in trouble. The Al Hilal of Bono, Malcolm, Sergei Milinkovic Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic or Rúben Neves, among others, with solvency.
Al Ittihad, against the tide
Al Ittihad suffered to add their third straight win and extend their hopes of reaching third place. The battle for leadership is far from over for the Argentina team Marcelo Gallardo who found themselves with a goal against, at half time, signed by the Nigerian Odion Mix a pass from Craig Goodwin.
The home team had a big chance in extra time in the first half when a foul by Ali Makki on Abderrazak Hamdalla inside the area was awarded as a penalty. Benzema executed but goalkeeper Munir made a great save and avoided entanglement.
Benzema did not take the second penalty
It was in the final stages when Al Ittihad turned the score around, tying the score in the 81st minute. A foul by Jawad El Yamiq on Romarinho meant a new eleven meter throw. The former Real Madrid player did not launch it. Abderrazak Hamdallah, scored the equalizer.
Gallardo’s set They were left with ten men in the 91st minute due to the sending off of Saad Al Mosa but still, four minutes later, he was able to seal the comeback with a great individual action by Benzema to assist Hamdalla, who finished in the net unopposed and sealed his double. This is the French striker’s sixth goal in the Saudi championship.
Leader Al Hilal’s record wins
Al Ittihad are fifth, one point behind Al Taawon and six behind Al Ahli, third. However, it has a second place in the Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in fifteen and Al Hilal’s leadership in twenty-two after beating Steven Gerrard’s El Ettifaq at home (0-2).
Before the break he left the victory on the track Jorge Jesus’ team, who opened the scoring in the 39th minute through the Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on a pass from Ruben Neves.
The second was in extra time before intermission. It is marked by Salem Al Dawsari after receiving the ball from Aleksandar Mitrovic. It was Al Hilal’s 14th win in the league, breaking Al Nassr’s record of 13 since 2014.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
