Title Race Heats Up: Al-Hilal Chase, Ronaldo Fumes, Ittihad Roll

As the Saudi Pro League heads into the international break, Round 25 delivered thrilling encounters featuring the league's top clubs.

Al-Hilal continued their relentless title chase, Al-Nassr secured an important win despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustration, Al-Ittihad reinforced their dominance with another commanding victory, while Al-Ahli edged past a stubborn opponent. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah suffered a setback in the title race with a surprise defeat to Damac. Here’s a breakdown of the key matches:

Al-Hilal vs. Al-Taawoun 2-1

Al-Hilal secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun. Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo opened the scoring for Al-Hilal, showcasing his consistent form this season. Al-Taawoun equalized through a set-piece goal, but Al-Hilal's relentless pressure paid off when Salem Al-Dawsari netted the winner in the 78th minute. This win keeps Al-Hilal in close pursuit of the league leaders.

Al-Nassr vs. Al-Kholood 3-1

Al-Nassr triumphed 3-1 against Al-Kholood. Cristiano Ronaldo scored an early goal, bringing his season tally to 28. Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran extended the lead before halftime. Despite Nawaf Boushal's red card reducing Al-Nassr to ten men, they maintained control. An own goal by Ali Lajami gave Al-Kholood a consolation, but Al-Nassr held firm. Notably, Ronaldo was substituted after an hour and appeared frustrated, heading straight down the tunnel, though it's unclear if this was due to injury or tactical reasons.

Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Fateh 3-0

League leaders Al-Ittihad continued their dominant form with a 3-0 win over Al-Fateh. Karim Benzema scored twice, reaffirming his status as a key player this season. The third goal came from a well-executed team move finished by Romarinho. Al-Ittihad's defense remained solid, securing their 14th clean sheet of the season.

Al-Ahli vs. Al-Okhdood 2-1

Al-Ahli faced a challenging match against Al-Okhdood but emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. Ivan Toney was instrumental, scoring both goals for Al-Ahli. Al-Okhdood managed to pull one back late in the game, but Al-Ahli's defense held firm to secure all three points.

Al-Qadsiah vs. Damac 0-1

In a surprising result, Al-Qadsiah suffered a 1-0 defeat to Damac, denting their title aspirations. The only goal of the game came in the second half, as Damac capitalized on a defensive lapse. Al-Qadsiah struggled to break down a resolute Damac defense, missing key chances that could have rescued a point. This loss sees them lose ground in the title race, allowing Al-Hilal to overtake them in the standings.

League Standings (Top 5):

1. Al-Ittihad – 57 points

2. Al-Hilal – 51 points

3. Al-Qadsiah – 50 points

4. Al-Nassr – 47 points

5. Al-Ahli – 47 points

As the league pauses for the international break, the title race remains intense, with Al-Ittihad leading but closely followed by Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah. Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli are also in contention, promising an exciting run-in once the league resumes.