Al-Hilal edge Al-Qadsiah to reclaim Saudi league leadership as Al-Ittihad extend winning run

Al-Hilal moved to the top of the Saudi league with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the 11th round of matches.

The result settled a closely contested battle for first place, with Al-Hilal recovering from a second-half stalemate to score twice in the closing stages.

Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finding the net with a shot from inside the penalty area.

Al-Qadsiah responded 10 minutes later when Mexico international Julian Quinones headed home to make it 1-1.

The sides remained level until the 77th minute, when Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves restored Al-Hilal’s advantage with a strike from outside the box.

Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic then extended the visitors’ lead in the 84th minute, giving Al-Hilal a two-goal cushion.

Al-Qadsiah reduced the deficit three minutes later through Italy striker Mateo Retegui, who headed in his side’s second goal, but Al-Hilal held on for the points.

The win took Al-Hilal to 27 points and first place in the table. Al-Qadsiah remain third on 25 points, level on points with second-placed Al-Nassr but behind them on goal difference.

Both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr have a game in hand.

Al-Ittihad continue winning form

Elsewhere in the same round, Al-Ittihad extended their winning run with a 2-0 victory over Al-Diriyah.

Nigerian forward George Ilenikhena gave Al-Ittihad the lead in the 30th minute, reacting quickest after the Al-Diriyah goalkeeper had made a save.

Georginio Wijnaldum doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 77th minute to secure the win.

The result lifted Al-Ittihad to 23 points in fourth place, while Al-Diriyah remain eighth with 15 points.