Al-Ittihad Stages Comeback Against Al-Nassr to Edge Closer to Saudi League Title
In a thrilling Saudi Pro League matchday 30 encounter, Al-Nassr took a 2-0 lead with goals from Sadio Mané and Ayman Yahya. However, Al-Ittihad mounted a second-half comeback with goals from Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Houssem Aouar, securing a 3-2 victory. The win keeps Al-Ittihad six points clear at the top, while Al-Nassr's title hopes take a significant hit.
Al-Ittihad Stages Comeback Against Al-Nassr to Edge Closer to Saudi League Title
In a thrilling Saudi Pro League matchday 30 encounter, Al-Nassr took a 2-0 lead with goals from Sadio Mané and Ayman Yahya. However, Al-Ittihad mounted a second-half comeback with goals from Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Houssem Aouar, securing a 3-2 victory. The win keeps Al-Ittihad six points clear at the top, while Al-Nassr's title hopes take a significant hit.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Al-Ittihad staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Al-Nassr 3-2 at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh during the 30th round of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr started strong, with Sadio Mané scoring in the 3rd minute and assisting Ayman Yahya to double the lead in the 37th minute.
In the second half, Al-Ittihad responded swiftly. Karim Benzema headed in a goal in the 49th minute, followed by N'Golo Kanté equalizing in the 52nd minute. In stoppage time, Houssem Aouar completed the turnaround in the 94th minute.
With this victory, Al-Ittihad reaches 71 points, maintaining a six-point lead over second-placed Al-Hilal with four matches remaining. Al-Nassr remains at 60 points, effectively out of the title race and with diminished prospects for AFC Champions League qualification.
Cristiano Ronaldo expressed frustration with his teammates after the loss, gesturing for them to "wake up."
Match Statistics and Lineups – Al-Nassr 2 x 3 Al-Ittihad
📋 Starting Lineups
Al-Nassr (Coach: Stefano Pioli) – Formation 4-2-3-1:
Goalkeeper: Bento (#24)
Defenders: Nawaf Boushal (#12), Mohamed Simakan (#3), Ali Lajami (#78), Sultan Al-Ghannam (#2)
Midfielders: Marcelo Brozović (#11), Ali Al-Hassan (#19), Otávio (#25)
Forwards: Sadio Mané (#10), Ayman Yahya (#23), Cristiano Ronaldo (#7 – captain)
Al-Ittihad (Coach: Laurent Blanc) – Formation 4-2-3-1:
Goalkeeper: Predrag Rajković (#1)
Defenders: Danilo Pereira (#2), Abdulelah Al-Amri (#4), Hassan Kadesh (#15), Muhannad Al Shanqeeti (#13)
Midfielders: Fabinho (#8), N'Golo Kanté (#7), Houssem Aouar (#10)
Forwards: Abdulrahman Al Obud (#24), Moussa Diaby (#19), Karim Benzema (#9 – captain)
🔄 Substitutions
Al-Nassr:
Abdullah Al-Khaibari replaced Ali Al-Hassan at 66'
Ângelo substituted Ayman Yahya at 81'
Saad Haqawi came on for Marcelo Brozović at 91'
Al-Ittihad:
Steven Bergwijn replaced Abdulrahman Al Obud at 69'
Fawaz Al Soqoor came on for Muhannad Al Shanqeeti at 69'
📊 Match Statistics
Possession: Al-Nassr 54% | Al-Ittihad 46%
Shots (on target): Al-Nassr 15 (5) | Al-Ittihad 12 (6)
Corner Kicks: Al-Nassr 3 | Al-Ittihad 5
Yellow Cards: Al-Nassr 2 | Al-Ittihad 4
Red Cards: Al-Nassr 0 | Al-Ittihad 1 (Moussa Diaby at 90+7')
⚽ Goals
Al-Nassr:
Sadio Mané at 3'
Ayman Yahya at 37' (assist by Sadio Mané)
Al-Ittihad:
Karim Benzema at 49' (assist by Abdulrahman Al Obud)
N'Golo Kanté at 52' (assist by Muhannad Al Shanqeeti)
Houssem Aouar at 90+4' (assist by Moussa Diaby)
📌 Additional Information
Referee: Danny Makkelie
Attendance: 24,575 spectators
Venue: Al-Awwal Park Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia