Al-Hilal edge Al-Ittihad 3-2 in historic Roshn Saudi League classic

Al-Hilal returned to the top of the Roshn Saudi League after beating Al-Ittihad 3-2 in a dramatic eighth-round meeting at Kingdom Arena.

The result delivered a scoreline never previously recorded in the 36 league meetings between the two sides since the professional competition began in the summer of 2008.

Al-Hilal made the stronger start and took control in the first half. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but Al-Ittihad responded when Youssef En-Nesyri levelled in the 22nd minute.

The hosts restored their advantage eight minutes later, with Ollie Watkins making it 2-1 in the 30th minute. Al-Hilal therefore went into half-time ahead after an opening period in which they had established the greater share of the momentum.

Crysencio Summerville extended the lead for Al-Hilal in the 64th minute, giving the home side a two-goal cushion and putting further pressure on Al-Ittihad.

The visitors were handed a late route back into the match when Steven Bergwijn converted a penalty in the 89th minute. The goal set up a tense finish, with Al-Ittihad pushing for an equaliser during the closing stages.

Al-Hilal resisted that pressure, however, and held on to claim all three points at the final whistle.

According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, neither club had won any of their previous 36 meetings in the professional league by a 3-2 scoreline. The match therefore produced an unprecedented result in the history of the fixture.

The defeat also ended Al-Ittihad’s unbeaten record in this season’s league campaign. They became the final team in the competition to suffer a loss.

Al-Hilal’s victory took them to 21 points, moving them back to the top of the table. They lead Al-Qadsiah and Al-Nassr by two points.

Al-Ittihad remain on 17 points and finished the eighth round in fourth place.