Al-Ittihad ended a three-match winless spell in the Saudi Pro League with a 2-1 home victory over Al-Okhdood, as N'Golo Kante and Houssem Aouar struck before half-time and Sergio Conceicao's team survived a late response to climb to sixth place.
The result keeps Al-Ittihad 10 points short of the AFC Champions League positions, yet it also maintains a strong record against Al-Okhdood, with the Jeddah side now unbeaten in six Pro League meetings and securing a second league double after 2023-24.
Across the 90 minutes, Al-Ittihad created the clearer chances, generating 1.04 expected goals from 18 attempts, while Al-Okhdood managed 0.48 xG from only six shots, highlighting a match controlled more by volume and pressure than by clinical finishing.
Kante delivered a decisive all-round performance in this Saudi Pro League contest for Al-Ittihad, directly contributing to both home goals, while midfield partner Mahamadou Doumbia supported with high energy, frequent shooting and heavy involvement in possession phases across the pitch.
Doumbia produced some standout numbers for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League clash, finishing with a team-high five shots, a notable 116 touches and nine duels won, underlining an influential display even though the midfielder did not add a goal or assist.
The first half at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sport City opened positively for Al-Ittihad, as the hosts struck early and repeatedly stretched Al-Okhdood, although goalkeeper Samuel Portugal delayed the damage with several strong saves before eventually being beaten twice.
Al-Ittihad Saudi Pro League goals as Kante and Aouar decide the contest
The breakthrough arrived on 12 minutes when Kante clipped a pass into the area for Aouar, who met the ball with a controlled volley on the turn, leaving Portugal with little chance and giving Al-Ittihad an early advantage in this Saudi Pro League game.
Portugal then frustrated Al-Ittihad with a series of stops, pushing away a long-range drive from Danilo Pereira before denying Karim Benzema and Doumbia in quick succession, but Kante finally doubled the Saudi Pro League side's lead on 43 minutes with a low strike into the bottom-left corner.
Even after Kante's goal, Portugal produced another important intervention, tipping a powerful effort from Doumbia onto the crossbar, yet Al-Okhdood gained a lifeline later when Burak Ince rose at the back post to head in Christian Bassogog's cross and reduce Al-Ittihad's Saudi Pro League lead.
Bassogog almost punished Al-Ittihad again when Ince turned provider with a low delivery across goal, but the forward dragged the chance wide, and Al-Okhdood failed to threaten further, allowing Conceicao's side to secure the Saudi Pro League win and restore some confidence.
| #RSL | #Alittihad_Alokhdoodcongratulations to our fanspic.twitter.com/jgLp8ZwGrkAl-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) January 26, 2026
For Conceicao, the Saudi Pro League victory brings relief more than celebration, but the continued dominance over Al-Okhdood, combined with the strong midfield partnership of Kante and Doumbia, offers a stable platform as Al-Ittihad chase higher positions in the standings.
| Team | Goals | Shots | Expected Goals (xG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Ittihad | 2 | 18 | 1.04 |
| Al-Okhdood | 1 | 6 | 0.48 |
