Karim Benzema came to Al-Ittihad’s rescue with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer, securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw against rivals Al-Ahli in a pulsating Jeddah derby on Saturday. The result keeps the league leaders five points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League after Matchweek 26.
Match Highlights
Al-Ahli struck first when Roger Ibañez powered in a header from Riyad Mahrez’s corner in the 51st minute. Al-Ittihad responded through Moussa Dembélé, who leveled the score in the 74th minute with a clinical finish inside the box.
The hosts thought they had sealed the win when Ivan Toney capitalized on a defensive error by N’Golo Kanté to slot home in the 82nd minute. But Benzema had the final say, tapping in a cross from Abdullah Al-Amri deep into added time (90+4’) to snatch a crucial point.
Title Race Implications
Despite the draw, Al-Ittihad (62 points) maintained their grip on the top spot, extending their lead over second-placed Al-Hilal (57 points), who lost 3-1 to Al-Nassr a day earlier. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli (49 points) remain fifth, their hopes of a top-four finish taking a slight hit.
Blanc Demands Improvement
Al-Ittihad manager Laurent Blanc admitted his team’s first-half performance was “not up to standard” but praised his players for their belief.
“There are no secrets to the comeback, it’s all about the players. They trusted themselves and fought until the end,” Blanc said in the post-match press conference.
Derby Dominance?
The result continued Al-Ahli’s historical edge in this fixture, with 10 wins in 18 meetings compared to Al-Ittihad’s two victories. However, Benzema’s late intervention ensured the league leaders avoided a third league defeat this season.
