JEDDAH — Al Ittihad maintained its chase of league leaders Al Hilal with a 2-1 win against Al Akhdood in the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League. With this victory, Al Ittihad raised its points total to 15, tying with Al Hilal, which is set to face Al Ahli on Saturday. Al Ittihad took the lead just five minutes after the break when Aouar launched an attack from midfield, passing to Moussa Diaby, who set up Karim Benzema to unleash a precise shot that hit the post before finding the back of the net. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner scored his seventh goal of the season, marking his first time scoring in five consecutive matches for Al Ittihad. Aouar added a second goal with a header following a cross from Steven Bergwijn late in the match. Al Okhdood's Salah Al Abbas scored in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough to level the score, leaving Al Okhdood with four points. Meanwhile, Al Fayha avoided defeat with a late equalizer from Fashion Sakala, who converted a penalty in stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw against Al Wehda. Al Wehda took an early lead through Mishaal Al Alaili, but Alejandro Pozuelo equalized for Al Fayha in the 74th minute. Al Wehda looked to have secured the win after Odion Ighalo scored in the 82nd minute. However, Al Fayha earned a penalty after a handball by defender Ali Al Salem, and after a lengthy VAR review, Sakala successfully converted the penalty. Al Fayha now sits on five points in 12th place, just ahead of Al Wehda, which is in 13th place on goal difference.
