Al-Hilal 2-0 Al-Ittifaq, Saudi Pro League 2025-26 Highlights: Blue Waves Go Three Points Ahead In The Title Race

Greetings everyone. Stay with us as we take you through the build-up and live updates from the matchday 22 clash between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittifaq.

Karim Benzema the Starman, who has been on the headlines for his late January move to Al-Hilal, is going to start for the league leaders in front of home support. The Blue Waves will be looking to go 3 points clear of Al-Ahli who are level on points (50).

Karim Benzema's sudden arrival to one of Al-Nassr's main threats for the SPL title this season, was not appreciated by Cristiano Ronaldo, a figure responsible for making opening a pipeline of players joining Saudi Arabian Club Football.

Ronaldo went on a strike and hasn't returned since. His absence also hurt Al-Nassr, who now find themselves 2 points adrift of Al-Hilal.

The 2022 Ballon D'or winner has had a very productive season so far, scoring 19 goals from 22 appearances across all competitions. In the Saudi Pro League, Benzema has netted 11 times in the Saudi top-flight and 4 each in the AFC Champions League and Kings Cup.

And so we are underway at the Kingdom Arena for this all important game for both of the sides. Al-Hilal have a chance of going 4 points clear of Al-Ahli, who are winning their matchday 22 tie by 4-2 against Al-Shabab.

Al-Hilal had been knocking on the door right from the start of this match and they have taken the lead early with a decisive heder from midfielder Mohamed Kanno.

Brilliant movement across the pitch from Al-Hilal. In the 19th minute, Sergej Milinkovic Savic missed a very good opportunity to put Al-Hilal ahead by 2-0. His header went too far to the left of the post from a corner kick taken by Ruben Neves.

Get in Al-Hilal fans! Salem Al-Dawsari makes it 2-0 and it was just a matter of time before they doubled the lead. The goal came from an intercepted free-kick for Al-Ittifaq, who were blown away with the Blues' pace.

The half-hour mark had just hit on the clock and Al-Hilal wasted no time. Good composure from Al-Dawsari to finish from close range.

It’s half-time at the Kingdom Arena, and league leaders Al-Hilal hold a commanding 2-0 lead over Al-Ittifaq. Simone Inzaghi’s side has dominated possession, stifling the visitors while showcasing clinical finishing.

The players are back on the field for the final half of the match. Al-Ittifaq will be desperate to eliminate the deficit while Al-Hilal will aim to widen the gap.

Attempt missed. Mukhtar Ali (Al Ettifaq) unleashes a right-footed effort from outside the box, but it goes just wide of the left post. Assisted by Khalid Al Ghannam.

Khalid Al Ghannam sends a beautiful assist to Alvaro Medran fires a ston right footed shot from the centre of the D but the shot was well intercepted by the defenders.

The referee blows the final whistle and with it the stoppage time comes to an end. Al-Hilal win the match by 2-0 on the back of goals scored by Mohamed Kanno (17') and Salem Al-Dawsari (34').

It’s a wrap at the Kingdom Arena, and Al-Hilal has secured a clinical 2-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq. First-half strikes from Mohamed Kanno and Salem Al-Dawsari were enough to seal the three points, keeping the league leaders firm at the top of the table.