Friday night delivered a double dose of drama in the Saudi Pro League as Karim Benzema returned to form with a devastating brace for Al Hilal and Al Ahli claimed bragging rights in the Sea Derby against Al Ittihad. The results kept the title race wide open heading into the final stretch of the season.
Benzema Leads Al Hilal’s Demolition of Al Najmah
Karim Benzema reminded Saudi football fans why he remains one of the most lethal strikers in the game, scoring twice as Al Hilal cruised to a 4-0 victory over bottom-placed Al Najmah at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. The result lifted Al Hilal to 61 points in third place, keeping their title hopes firmly alive.
The match turned decisively in Al Hilal’s favor when Al Najmah defender Nasser Al-Hilal was sent off in the 39th minute for fouling captain Salem Al-Dawsari as he raced through on goal. With the numerical advantage established, Benzema wasted little time opening the scoring just before halftime, heading home from close range after a pinpoint cross from Al-Dawsari inside the penalty area.
Al Hilal dominated possession throughout the second half, though goalkeeper Victor Braga produced a string of saves to delay the inevitable. Benzema finally doubled the lead in the 81st minute, finishing from close range after Sergej Milinković-Savić teed him up with a low cross. Malcom added a third just three minutes later, heading in a rebound after Theo Hernandez struck the post, before Milinković-Savić completed the rout in the 87th minute to seal an emphatic team performance.
Al Ahli Triumph in the Sea Derby
In Jeddah, Al Ahli produced a statement performance to defeat rivals Al Ittihad 3-1 in one of Saudi football’s most fiercely contested fixtures, the Sea Derby. The victory saw Al Ahli leapfrog the defending champions and move into a strong position in the upper half of the table.
The result was a significant blow for Al Ittihad’s title ambitions, as the defending champions found themselves outplayed in a match that featured attacking football from the opening whistle. Al Ahli’s clinical finishing proved the difference on a night when their forward line was in inspired form.
Title Race Heats Up
With league leaders Al Nassr scheduled to play on Saturday, both Al Hilal and Al Ahli will be watching closely to see whether the gap at the top narrows further. Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the Al Nassr squad, as the Portuguese star traveled to Spain for rehabilitation on an undisclosed issue, adds another layer of intrigue to the weekend’s action.
The Saudi Pro League continues to deliver compelling football as the season enters its decisive phase, with several teams still mathematically in contention for the championship.
