Kostas Fortounis scored a stoppage-time penalty to grab a 1-1 draw for Al-Khaleej in opposition to Al-Ittihad, stopping the leaders from going seven factors clear within the Saudi Professional League.
It regarded like Laurent Blanc’s aspect can be taking again all three factors after Abdullah Al Salem’s objective 12 minutes from time, however they might not maintain on.
Al-Khaleej made a brilliant begin, with Mohammed Al Khabrani’s first-time volley forcing Predrag Rajkovic right into a reflex save with simply 92 seconds on the clock.
Al Salem discovered a pocket of area on the sting of the day within the thirty first minute, with Rajkovic getting down rapidly to tip his low drive large of the close to put up.
Shortly after, Karim Benzema couldn’t end off a fast counter-attack, firing tamely at Ibrahim Sehic earlier than skimming a low free-kick straight into his gloves.
Within the 78th minute, Al Salem glanced on Fortounis’ free-kick straight at Rajkovic, who started a lightning-quick transfer for Al-Ittihad.
Benzema’s massive swap opened up the area earlier than it was knocked by means of for Fawaz Al Soqoor, who fizzed a harmful ball throughout the face of objective, and Al Salem was ready on the far put up to knock it over the road.
Nonetheless, there was late drama as Saad Al Mosa blocked Khaled Al Sumairi from chesting the ball down together with his arm, and Fortounis coolly slotted in a 96th-minute equaliser from 12 yards.
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الجولة الـ22
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— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) February 26, 2025
Information Debrief: Profitable run halted
Al-Ittihad had received their final 4 video games within the Saudi Professional League, scoring three or extra targets in three matches on that run, however they struggled in opposition to Al-Khaleej.
They managed simply three pictures within the first half, in comparison with the hosts’ six, however registered 1.37 anticipated targets (xG) within the second from 9 makes an attempt as they pushed for the win.
Regardless of not getting the victory they wanted to place extra respiration area between themselves and second-placed Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad prolonged their unbeaten streak in opposition to Al-Khaleej within the competitors to 12 matches (W8 D4).
The hosts, in the meantime, are winless in 5, although it’s a large enhance to have snatched a degree from the present leaders.
