Al-Ittihad Vs Al-Ettifaq Highlights, Saudi Pro League: ITT 3-2 ETT; Leaders Build Six-Point Cushion At Summit

Hi, folks. Even as the Saudi Pro League game between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab is locked 1-1 at half-time, we are building up to the second clash of the evening, between leaders Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq. Catch all the key match info and play-by-play updates here.

The match will begin at 11:30pm IST. The Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq will be televised on the Sony Sports Network in India. It will be live streamed on the SonyLiv app and website in the country.

Here's how the two teams line up ahead of kick-off in Jeddah:

Moments after the Al-Hilal vs Al-Shabab clash ends in a 2-2 draw in Riyadh, the game between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq kicks off in Jeddah. A victory tonight would put the leaders six points clear at the summit. Ittihad attacking from left to right, and Ettifaq from right to left in the first half.

An utterly dramatic start to this encounter. Vitinho's long-range strike for Al-Ettihaq is at first disallowed on account of Georginio Wijnaldum being deemed off-side. The decision is overturned upon VAR review, and the fifth-minute goal stands. But Al-Ittihad have a riposte ready, as Danilo Pereira capitalizes on Benzema's cross to bring the game back on level terms in the 11th minute.

Karim Benzema gets an absolute gift to overcome a recent slump in goal-scoring form. A defensive lapse from Al-Ettifaq puts the ball on a platter for Benzema in a one-on-one scenario with the goalkeeper, and the experienced French striker does not miss out. His 35th-minute goal puts Al-Ittihad ahead 2-1.

Ittihad have another one. Houssem Aouar slots it in from the centre of the box after a smart assist from Moussa Diaby in the second minute of added time in first half. The visitors' goal-scorer Vitinho suffers an injury soon after, and the half-time whistle finally blows with the scoreline reading 3-1 in favour of the league leaders.

The players are back from the mid-game interval. Ittihad attacking from right to left now, and Ettifaq from left to right. The leaders squander an early chance to go up 4-1 as Houssem Aouar's shot from close range goes wide.

As the on-air commentators remarked too, play is meandering a bit now in the second half. Ittihad already have a two-goal advantage and retaining it would suffice for them. It is Ettifaq who need to do all the running but it's not turning out to be easy for the seventh-placed side.

Al-Ettifaq are back in the game, thanks to an own goal in the 83rd minute by Danilo Pereira. The Al-Ittihad defensive midfielder inadvertently heads the ball into his own team's net while attempting to ward off a cross. Ettifaq are now one goal away from equalizing with the minutes ticking by.

So the final scoreline reads 3-2 in favour of Al-Ittihad, who hold on for the full three points and stretch their lead in the Saudi Pro League to six points ahead of second-placed Al-Hilal. The 2-2 draw that Hilal played earlier today could go on to haunt them later in the league, as the gap between them and Ittihad has widened.