Al-Hilal capitalize with convincing win over Al-Khaleej
Al-Hilal knew they had an opportunity to put pressure on the leaders by playing earlier in the day, and they seized it with an authoritative 3-0 home win against Al-Khaleej . Manager Jorge Jesus set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a star-studded attack, and the Riyadh giants dominated from the outset. The midfield duo of Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić controlled possession and tempo, allowing Al-Hilal to spend much of the match on the front foot. In fact, Al-Hilal enjoyed nearly 59% possession and outshot their visitors 24 to 10 (9 shots on target to Al-Khaleej’s 2) . They repeatedly pulled Al-Khaleej’s defensive shape apart with quick flank play and clever movement between the lines.
Winger Salem Al-Dawsari was the standout performer, showcasing why he was the 2022 Asian Player of the Year . He opened the scoring after 26 minutes with a close-range finish, arriving at the back post to convert a low pass from 21-year-old Brazilian winger Kaio César . Kaio’s slick dribbling and cut-back assist highlighted Al-Hilal’s strategy of stretching Al-Khaleej’s back line with width and creativity from the wings. In the second half, as Al-Khaleej tried to push forward occasionally, Al-Hilal remained dangerous on the break. With six minutes of regulation time remaining, Al-Dawsari struck again to make it 2-0, this time finishing clinically from the edge of the area after a smart layoff by Aleksandar Mitrović . The two Saudi internationals exchanged a quick one-two, with Mitrović drawing defenders before teeing up Al-Dawsari to slot home his second goal. It was a fluid attacking move that underscored Al-Hilal’s superior quality and understanding in the final third.
Moments later, Al-Hilal put the result beyond any doubt. In the 88th minute, Mitrović got on the scoresheet himself, latching onto a precise through-ball from Neves and dispatching a low shot past the goalkeeper . The Serbian striker’s goal—assisted by a pinpoint forward pass from Neves—was a just reward for his tireless work leading the line. By the final whistle, Al-Hilal’s 3-0 victory was as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. They forced Al-Khaleej’s goalkeeper into seven saves and rarely looked in danger at the back . Veteran center-back Kalidou Koulibaly marshalled the defense effectively, limiting Al-Khaleej to just two shots on target all game . It was a professional performance by Al-Hilal: they attacked with pace and purpose, got key contributions from their star players, and maintained a clean sheet with minimal fuss.
Manager Jorge Jesus will be pleased with how his tactical choices paid off. Handing a start to the young Kaio César on the wing added an extra spark to the attack, and substituting on João Cancelo in the second half to play down the flank kept the pressure on as Al-Khaleej tired. The win also marked an important response after Al-Hilal’s recent inconsistency – they had dropped points in a 1-1 draw days earlier, leaving them seven points adrift . By emphatically beating Al-Khaleej, the 19-time champions showed their champion mentality and kept their hopes of retaining the title alive. Al-Dawsari’s return to goal-scoring form (he had not scored a brace in the league for some time) and Mitrović’s continued scoring streak bode well for Al-Hilal’s attacking momentum. The squad’s depth was on display as well – players like Mohamed Kanno and the highly-rated Brazilian youngster Marcos Leonardo came off the bench late on, illustrating the wealth of options at Jesus’ disposal. In short, Al-Hilal did everything they could to apply pressure, and their win set the stage for Al-Ittihad’s match later that evening to become a high-stakes affair .
Leaders Al-Ittihad Shocked by Al-Fateh’s Resilience
If Al-Hilal’s victory cranked up the heat, Al-Ittihad failed to handle the blaze. Laurent Blanc’s Al-Ittihad side traveled to Al-Hasa to face Al-Fateh, a team fighting for survival near the bottom of the table, and came away with a damaging 2-0 defeat. Tactically, Al-Ittihad appeared to approach the match with an attacking mindset, fielding an XI loaded with star power. The Jeddah club’s lineup included Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema at striker, supported by dynamic winger Moussa Diaby and creative midfielder Houssem Aouar, with N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho anchoring the midfield. On paper, it was a setup designed to overwhelm the 13th-place hosts. In practice, however, Al-Fateh manager José Gomes crafted a game plan that nullified Al-Ittihad’s strengths and capitalized on their weaknesses.
Al-Fateh struck first, landing a punch that unsettled the league leaders after just 10 minutes. Winger Amine Sbai found space just inside the box and fired a high shot into the net to put Al-Fateh up 1-0 . The early goal buoyed the home crowd and allowed Al-Fateh to settle into a compact, counter-attacking posture. They ceded possession (Al-Ittihad would finish with over 70% possession ), but stayed organized in two banks of four, making it difficult for Al-Ittihad to play through the lines. Crucially, Al-Fateh’s midfield, led by Algerian international Sofiane Bendebka and French midfielder Zaydou Youssouf, worked tirelessly to disrupt Kanté and Fabinho. This prevented Al-Ittihad from translating their possession into truly dangerous chances. Indeed, despite all of Al-Ittihad’s ball control, the two teams each managed only 5 shots on target over 90 minutes , reflecting how Al-Fateh successfully limited the quality of Al-Ittihad’s opportunities.
The match could have turned out differently in a frantic spell before halftime. In the 35th minute, Al-Fateh had a golden chance to double their lead when they earned a penalty. Moroccan forward Mourad Batna, who had been a lively outlet on the counter, stepped up but smashed his spot-kick off target, spurning the opportunity . It was a let-off for Al-Ittihad, and just minutes later they received another boon: a penalty of their own. A handball in Al-Fateh’s area gave the visitors a route back into the game, and midfielder Fabinho took responsibility from the spot. However, Al-Fateh’s goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi emerged as the hero, diving to save Fabinho’s penalty and preserve his team’s 1-0 lead . Al-Aqidi’s save ignited the home supporters and epitomized Al-Fateh’s fighting spirit. The young Saudi keeper (on loan from Al-Nassr) was outstanding throughout, commanding his area on crosses and making five saves in total, including the crucial penalty stop . Al-Ittihad went into the break frustrated, having failed to capitalize on a lifeline.
In the second half, Al-Ittihad pushed forward with urgency, aware that they needed at least an equalizer to restore their cushion at the top . Benzema increasingly dropped deep to link play, while Diaby tried to use his pace to get in behind Al-Fateh’s back line. At one point just after the hour mark, Benzema did find the net, but his would-be equalizer was ruled out for offside – a marginal call that summed up Al-Ittihad’s night. Sensing that the tide might turn, José Gomes encouraged Al-Fateh to remain vigilant and exploit any spaces left behind as Al-Ittihad threw men forward. That moment came in the 69th minute. Al-Ittihad’s high line was caught out by a simple but effective long ball over the top from deep in Al-Fateh’s half . Al-Fateh’s Argentine attacker, Matías Vargas, timed his run perfectly, latched onto the ball behind the defense, and raced clear one-on-one. With admirable composure, Vargas slotted his shot past Al-Ittihad keeper Mohammed Al-Mahasneh to make it 2-0 . It was a classic counter-attacking goal – one pass bypassed an stretched Al-Ittihad side, and Vargas’s pace did the rest.
That second goal sent the home fans into raptures and effectively sealed the upset. For the final 20 minutes, Al-Fateh sat even deeper, content to soak up desperate Al-Ittihad pressure. Laurent Blanc introduced attacking substitutions (bringing on winger Abdulrahman Al-Obud and others) in an effort to spark a comeback, but Al-Fateh’s defense, marshaled by Portuguese center-back Jorge Fernandes and veteran Marwane Saâdane, held firm. Every Al-Ittihad cross was met by a clearing header, and Al-Fateh players threw their bodies in front of shots to protect the clean sheet. Even when Al-Ittihad did break through, Al-Aqidi was equal to their efforts. As the statistics show, Al-Fateh actually ended the match with more total shot attempts (18 to Al-Ittihad’s 12) – a testament to how effectively they launched counter-attacks whenever the opportunity arose. By full-time, Al-Fateh’s 2-0 victory was well-earned and “deserved,” as one match report put it . The result lifted Al-Fateh to 13th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone , underscoring how much they had at stake and how their hunger outmatched Al-Ittihad’s on the day.
From Al-Ittihad’s perspective, this defeat was a significant stumble at a critical juncture. It was only their third league loss of the season (their record now stands at 20-5-4), but it could not have come at a worse time. Tactically, Blanc might rue that his team was too slow and predictable in possession despite dominating the ball. The lack of width in the attack was evident – much of Al-Ittihad’s play went through the middle where Al-Fateh’s compact shape crowded out the likes of Benzema and Aouar. Wingers or full-backs failed to stretch Al-Fateh’s defense, making it easier for the underdogs to contain the champions. Additionally, Al-Ittihad showed moments of defensive frailty; the early goal and the long-ball second both exposed positioning errors and a lack of defensive cohesion. Some may question Blanc’s decision to allow Fabinho to take the crucial penalty instead of the more seasoned Benzema – had that gone in, the story might have been different. Ultimately, Al-Ittihad were punished for an under-par performance. Blanc and his players left the pitch visibly dejected, aware that their title charge just became a lot more complicated.
Where does this leave the title race?
With these dramatic swings on April 17, the Saudi Pro League title race is back on a knife’s edge. Al-Ittihad’s lead has been trimmed to four points over Al-Hilal (65 points vs 61) , and the momentum seems to have shifted. Crucially, Al-Hilal also hold a +45 goal difference compared to Al-Ittihad’s +35 , meaning that in the event of a tie on points, Al-Hilal would likely finish on top. There are six matches remaining for both clubs to decide the championship . Third-place Al-Nassr, meanwhile, sit on 60 points (with a game in hand) and cannot be overlooked . If Al-Nassr win their next match, they will be just five points off the top, adding a potential three-horse element to the race . The stage is set for a thrilling final stretch of the season, with form, fixtures, and perhaps psychological fortitude all coming into play.
For Al-Ittihad, this defeat could serve as a wake-up call. Coach Laurent Blanc must quickly regroup his squad and address the lapses that appeared against Al-Fateh. The champions will need leaders like Benzema and Kanté to steady the ship and ensure confidence remains intact. Al-Ittihad’s remaining schedule presents a mixed bag. On paper, they have winnable games against lower-half sides, but there are also daunting tests ahead. Notably, Al-Ittihad still must face third-place Al-Nassr away in early May – a match that now looms extremely large . That clash could swing the title race further: a win for Al-Ittihad would fend off Al-Nassr and keep Al-Hilal at bay, but a loss would open the door for both chasing clubs. Al-Ittihad also have an away trip to 6th-place Al-Shabab and a home fixture against 7th-place Al-Ettifaq in the coming weeks , both of which will test their resolve. Every match from here on is essentially a must-win if Al-Ittihad want to control their own destiny. The good news for Blanc’s men is that they do not have to face Al-Hilal again this season (Al-Ittihad won their last meeting 4-1 in February), so the title is still in their hands – but only if they avoid further slip-ups.
Al-Hilal, on the other hand, will be buoyed by this dramatic momentum shift. The Riyadh side have recent championship pedigree and know how to handle pressure in a run-in. After an inconsistent spell, they seem to be hitting form at just the right time: Salem Al-Dawsari’s rejuvenated attacking output and Mitrović’s reliable goal-scoring provide a strong platform to build on. Al-Hilal’s fixture list ahead looks slightly kinder than Al-Ittihad’s. In their final six games, they will face several bottom-half teams, including four of the current bottom six (Al-Raed, Al-Orobah, Al-Fateh, and Al-Wehda) . However, as Al-Ittihad just learned, no opponent can be underestimated. Al-Hilal’s next match is a potentially tricky home game against 6th-place Al-Shabab – drop points there, and their resurgence could stall. The final day of the season could be especially intriguing: Al-Hilal host 5th-place Al-Qadsiah, a side fighting for an Asian Champions League berth, while Al-Ittihad host a mid-table Damac . If the gap remains only a few points by then, we could be in for last-day drama. It is also worth noting the goal difference factor; Al-Hilal effectively only need to gain four points on Al-Ittihad, not five, to overtake them, due to that superior goal differential . This means a single additional Al-Ittihad draw combined with all Al-Hilal wins would swing the title to Riyadh. Manager Jorge Jesus will impress upon his players the importance of consistency – they must maintain the level shown against Al-Khaleej and hope Al-Ittihad feel the pressure.
Psychologically, the pendulum might have swung toward Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad had enjoyed a cushion at the top for weeks, but now they face a true challenge to their nerve. Last season, Al-Ittihad collapsed spectacularly (finishing 42 points behind Al-Hilal in 2023-24) , and while this campaign has been a redemption arc under Blanc, the real test is about to begin. Do they have the mental resilience to rebound immediately from this setback? The next matchday could be telling: if Al-Ittihad respond with a convincing win over Al-Ettifaq and Al-Hilal stumble, the balance might tilt again. Conversely, if Al-Ittihad show any lingering hangover from the Al-Fateh loss, Al-Hilal will be poised to pounce. Even Al-Nassr, led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, will sense an opportunity to insert themselves into the fray should either of the top two falter.
In short it looks like we are set for a nail-biting run-in where every match day could bring a twist.
