In a dramatic turn of events, El Al Hilal edged closer to eliminating Al Ittihad in the Asian Champions League, securing a crucial victory with two quick goals in a span of just two minutes. The second installment of the Al Hilal-Al Ittihad trilogy once again favored the former, leaving Marcelo Gallardo’s side on the brink of elimination and casting doubt on Karim Benzema’s participation in the 2025 ‘Super World Cup.’ The French striker, sidelined due to physical discomfort, now hinges his World Cup hopes on his team’s success in the Asian competition.
The match started with both Saudi teams going head-to-head in a first half that progressively intensified. Salem Al Dawsari came close to scoring at the 8th minute mark, and Hamdallah created tension with a shot that Al Owais diverted for a corner shortly after. The leader of the Saudi Pro League, Hamdallah, tried again with an opportunity from Malcom at the 33rd minute. However, the turning point for Al Hilal came five minutes later, unleashing a brief but intense storm that resulted in two goals against Al Ittihad.
The first goal came from Aleksandar Mitrovic, converting a penalty awarded after Hegazy fouled the Serbian striker. Mitrovic, consistent in finding the net, scored his 30th goal in 31 matches. Barely moments after the kick-off, Riyadh’s team struck again. The ball turned into a pinball among black and yellow players until Malcom set up Al Dawsari, who clinically finished to extend the lead.
The second half proved challenging for Al Ittihad, unable to generate significant goal-scoring opportunities. Adding to their woes, Kanté received a VAR-assisted red card for a reckless challenge on Koulibaly. With a numerical advantage, El Al Hilal comfortably controlled the game, opting to preserve their lead rather than press further. Gallardo made substitutions, withdrawing Romarinho and Zakaria Al Hawsawi, both failing to make a notable impact.
The Tigers’ hopes for a comeback dwindled, with only glimpses of threat, including an innocuous header from Hegazy and offside attempts from Hamdallah and Al Sahafi towards the end. As the clock ticks down, the pressure intensifies on Al Ittihad. Meanwhile, Benzema has a week to recover and inspire a comeback reminiscent of Real Madrid’s historic performances in the Champions League. The fate of both teams now hangs in the balance as they prepare for the decisive second leg.
- AFC Unveils New Stand-Alone Qualifying Route for 2031 Women’s World Cup - September 13, 2024
- Saudi Pro League’s Transfer Window: Big Names, Smaller Budget, and Changing Targets - September 13, 2024
- Seoul to Host Prestigious Asian Football Awards Ceremony in October - September 12, 2024
