Al Hilal extends dominance with commanding 3-1 win over Al Ittihad

In a highly anticipated clash in the Saudi Professional League, Al Hilal showcased their supremacy by clinching a decisive 3-1 triumph over Al Ittihad on Friday, during the 22nd round of the league.

With this commanding victory, Al Hilal fortifies its position at the summit of the league standings, amassing a formidable total of 62 points, a significant nine points clear of their nearest contender, Al Nassr. The latter settled for a 4-4 draw against Al Hazm in Thursday’s round, further solidifying Al Hilal’s dominance.

On the flip side, Al Ittihad finds themselves stagnating at 37 points, occupying the fifth spot in the league hierarchy following this defeat.

The encounter commenced with an early advantage for Al Ittihad as they struck first blood in the 12th minute courtesy of N’Golo Kanté. However, Al Hilal swiftly retaliated, leveling the score at 1-1 with a goal from Saleh Al Shehri in the 39th minute.

The momentum continued to favor Al Hilal in the second half as they intensified their offensive maneuvers. Their relentless pressure paid dividends as Malcom found the back of the net in the 59th minute, followed by Saud Abdulhamid’s clinical finish in the 66th minute, propelling Al Hilal to a commanding lead.

Despite Al Ittihad’s valiant efforts to mount a comeback, Al Hilal’s defensive resilience coupled with their relentless attacking prowess proved insurmountable.

This victory not only cements Al Hilal’s dominance in the domestic league but also sets the stage for an intriguing series of encounters against Al Ittihad in the upcoming AFC Champions League quarter-finals. The first leg is slated for next Tuesday, promising another riveting showdown between these two formidable adversaries.

From the onset, Al Hilal dictated the tempo of the match with their aggressive approach, while Al Ittihad sought to capitalize on counter-attacks despite the absence of their influential forward, Karim Benzema.

As the dust settles on this compelling fixture, Al Hilal emerges victorious, further solidifying their quest for domestic and continental glory in the realm of Saudi football.