DAMMAM — N'Golo Kanté salvaged a crucial point for Al Ittihad with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Al Qadsiah in Dammam on Thursday, preventing what could have been a damaging defeat in their Saudi Pro League title defense. Al Qadsiah stunned the visitors in added time when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire home from a cross. However, Al Ittihad responded with relentless pressure, and in the dying seconds, Karim Benzema delivered a pinpoint cross that Kanté converted to send the traveling fans into jubilation. Despite the late heroics, Al Ittihad dropped two valuable points but remained atop the table with 58 points, seven ahead of Al Hilal, who could narrow the gap if they defeat Al Fayha on Friday. Al Qadsiah, meanwhile, moved to 51 points in third place, four behind fourth-placed Al Nassr, who face Al Shabab in their upcoming fixture. In another match from Round 24, Al Kholood secured a 2-1 home victory over Al Fateh. The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Jorge Fernandez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Jackson Muleka doubled the lead in the 70th minute before Amine Sebai pulled one back for Al Fateh six minutes later. The visitors' comeback hopes took a hit when Matheus Machado was sent off in the 82nd minute. With the win, Al Kholood climbed to ninth in the standings with 31 points, while Al Fateh remained in 16th place with 19 points, deep in the relegation zone.
