In a thrilling contest on Thursday night, Al-Nassr faced a setback in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Al-Ittihad. This match proved pivotal as Al-Ittihad, led by former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, continued their impressive form, marking their sixth consecutive victory in the league. Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty in the 47th minute, equalizing after a goal by Al-Ittihad’s Romarinho, who opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. However, Al-Ittihad’s Abderrazak Hamdallah secured the win with a decisive goal in the 63rd minute. The loss leaves Al-Nassr trailing behind their rivals Al-Ittihad in the title race, with the latter now sitting at the top of the league table. Following the match, Ronaldo expressed his disappointment, stating, “We must learn from this defeat and improve our performance going forward.” The victory marks a significant moment for Al-Ittihad, as Benzema and Hamdallah’s contributions have been vital in solidifying their position as strong contenders for the championship this season. Al-Nassr is now looking to regroup and recover quickly as they aim to bounce back in the upcoming fixtures, while Al-Ittihad seeks to extend their winning streak further.
