Al Ittihad lose, Al Hilal win as title race takes huge twist | OneFootball

Al Ittihad’s lead at the top of the Roshn Saudi League has been cut to four points following a dramatic night of action at the summit on Thursday.

Current champions Al Hilal had thrown down the gauntlet with a strong 3-0 victory at home to Al Khaleej earlier in the evening, captain Salem Al Dawsari netting twice and Aleksandar Mitrovic getting the other.

With the gap at the top reduced, the Riyadh club then would have watched on as Al Ittihad were upset at Al Fateh.

The league leaders, beaten only twice in their previous 27 RSL matches, lost 2-0 in Al Ahsa, with Amine Sbai scoring on 10 minutes and Matias Vargas doubling the hosts’ advantage midway through the second half.

Both sides failed to score from the penalty spot, with Mourad Batna’s effort ruled out after he connected twice with the ball as he slipped while taking the spot-kick. Then, just before half-time, on-loan Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi saved from Fabinho, the visitors missing a golden opportunity to level.

Al Aqidi's parent club now have the opportunity to move closer to Al Ittihad, when Al Nassr take on Al Qadsiah in Dammam on Friday.