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Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ittihad 3-1 in the Saudi Clasico on Saturday to make it four wins from four and move three points clear above the visitors at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.
It was all too easy for the defending champions as they were three goals up by the end of the first half, in what was an ominous performance for the rest of the league. Red-hot striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored goals seven and eight this season before Salem Al-Dawsari put it beyond the Jeddah team with an exquisite strike.
While Al-Hilal had won all of their last seven games against Al-Ittihad in all competitions, such a comfortable victory was not expected, as this was not only the first Saudi Clasico of the season, but also a highly anticipated meeting between a top two in great form. With Ettifaq losing 3-0 to Al-Nassr on Friday, the two teams were the only ones left with maximum points, and something had to give in the capital. Before Saturday, Al-Ittihad had been looking very good, indeed, and had enjoyed plenty of rest. But it was not enough.
Al-Hilal, who went to Qatar midweek to defeat Al-Rayyan in the first game of the AFC Champions League Elite, made the early running, roared on by their fans. In just the third minute they were ahead. Ruben Neves floated over a perfect cross from the right and there was Mitrovic at the far post to send a perfect header into the net. The former Fulham forward has been on fire this season.
It was not the start that Al-Ittihad wanted but it got worse 10 minutes later. Brazilian fullback Renan Lodi went over in the area, the referee pointed to the spot and Mitrovic fired home goal number eight of the season. The task for Al-Ittihad became even harder eight minutes before the break but even the impressive number of away fans in Riyadh must have appreciated the third goal.
Al-Dawsari advanced down the left, entered the area and then flicked the ball over Predrag Rajkovic in beautiful fashion. It was a goal from a player at the top of his game playing for a team that simply does not lose. Al-Hilal have won 19 league titles and do not give up three-goal leads. From that impudent strike, it was just a question as to what the scoreline would be.
At halftime, Laurent Blanc had much to do, but the Frenchman is not the first Ittihad boss to struggle against Al-Hilal. Ittihad’s record against their blue rivals has become a real concern. In 24 clashes since 2016, the Tigers had won just one and lost 18. All players present for Ittihad on Saturday knew that winning would be a huge statement to the rest of the league and, indeed, to themselves and their fans. Now the number is 19 losses.
The second half was not quite as dramatic as the first. Al-Dawsari headed over from a good position but Hilal did not seem to be too concerned about getting a fourth.
It was Al-Ittihad who scored next even if it was too little, too late, as it came four minutes from the end. Moussa Diaby, who recorded four assists last week, broke free down the middle and squared the ball left to Karim Benzema, who side-footed the ball into the net for his fifth goal of the season so far. The Frenchman scored once more deep into injury time but it was ruled out by the referee.
In the end, it was a straightforward victory for the Riyadh giants, though the biggest positive for Al-Ittihad and the rest of the league is that there is still much more — and plenty of excitement — to come.