In a dramatic twist in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Fateh delivered a commanding performance to defeat table-toppers Al-Ittihad 2-0 on Thursday, handing the Jeddah giants their first loss in nearly three months.
The hosts struck early when Mohamed Amine Sbai fired home in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a well-worked assist from Mourad Batna. Al-Ittihad, despite controlling possession, lacked cutting edge in attack. Their frustrations deepened when Batna squandered a penalty for Al-Fateh in the 34th minute, only for goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi to deny Fabinho’s spot-kick just before halftime.
Karim Benzema briefly thought he had leveled after the break, but his 61st-minute effort was ruled out for offside. Al-Fateh then doubled their lead against the run of play, as Matías Vargas coolly finished a long ball in the 69th minute. Al-Ittihad piled on pressure late, but Al-Aqidi stood firm, ensuring a memorable clean sheet for his side.
The result leaves Al-Ittihad (65 points) nervously looking over their shoulders, with Al-Hilal (61 points) and Al-Nassr (57 points, with a game in hand) closing the gap. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh’s vital win lifts them to 29 points, providing crucial breathing room in their battle against relegation.
Laurent Blanc’s tactical changes, including the introduction of Abdulrahman Al-Aboud and Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, failed to inspire a comeback, leaving Al-Ittihad to reflect on a rare off-night in their title charge.
Al-Fateh Shock League Leaders Al-Ittihad in Stunning 2-0 Upset
