Al-Ittihad secured a 2-1 victory over Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium. Karim Benzema found the net for the first time since his hat-trick in the season opener. Mohammed Al Khaibari's own goal doubled their lead, but Moussa Diaby's red card led to a tense finish after Mamadou Sylla scored in the 77th minute.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 24th minute. He passed to Diaby on the right wing and then headed home Diaby's cross. Just before half-time, Al Khaibari's mistake gave Al-Ittihad a two-goal cushion. Benzema and Ahmed Al Ghamdi nearly added a third goal for the hosts, but it was not to be.
Moussa Diaby played a crucial role in Al-Ittihad's attack, contributing significantly despite his later
dismissal. His red card was due to an incident where he accidentally hit an opponent with his arm. This was Al-Ittihad’s third red card of the season, yet Diaby has been pivotal, contributing to eight goals against Riyadh teams this season.
Following Diaby's exit, Talal Haji and Teddy Okou tested Predrag Rajkovic with impressive shots. Eventually, Mamadou Sylla managed to score from Yahya Al Shehri’s cross, reducing the deficit for Al-Riyadh. Despite being down to ten men, Al-Ittihad continued to press forward in search of another goal.
Even with one player less, Al-Ittihad did not retreat into defence during the final minutes. Fabinho came close with two free-kick attempts as they held on for a vital home win. The team showed determination and resilience throughout the match.
What a celebration!pic.twitter.com/hAuDC4wyjM— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en)November 21, 2025
Match Statistics and Performance
Al-Ittihad will regret not keeping a clean sheet but can be proud of their performance. They generated 1.55 expected goals (xG) from 15 shots compared to Al-Riyadh’s 0.82 from seven attempts. Diaby created two chances and delivered six crosses, showcasing his influence on the game.
The French winger has been instrumental against Riyadh teams this season, scoring three goals and providing five assists in nine matches. His contributions have been vital for Al-Ittihad’s success in these encounters.
This victory marks an important step for Al-Ittihad as they aim to maintain momentum in the league. Their ability to secure wins even when facing challenges highlights their strength as a team this season.
