Al Ittihad's 'champion personality' in thriller edges them closer to RSL title

Houssem Aouar did what he has done so often this season. With it, Al Ittihad had another one, too.

As the clock ticked past the 90 minutes at Al Nassr on Wednesday night, the Algerian international and the Roshn Saudi League leaders did what they seem to always do. They found a way.

From 2-0 down at half-time to 2-2 by the conclusion of normal time. Their advantage at the summit, thanks to Al Hilal’s victory earlier in the night, seemed set to reduce to four.

Then Aouar bundled home from Bento's initial block in the 94th minute, and Al Ittihad's superiority was restored. With four rounds of the RSL remaining, they are six points to the good once more, a second top-flight trophy in three seasons feeling closer than ever.

Al Ittihad had delivered another late, late show. In yet another display of their remarkable - some way say champion - resolve, they notched a 12th stoppage-time goal this term. A huge victory was theirs.

Asked for the secret to this title-hungry team’s never-say-die attitude, Aouar replied: “Our secret is we are a team with a lot of personality. We did a very, very big game, especially the second half.

“The first half was too shy. We played too shy, not as a team, not as a champion team. Then we showed that we have a lot of personality.”

As has frequently been the case this campaign, also, Karim Benzema was crucial in the comeback. The Al Ittihad captain, facing old Real Madrid companion Cristiano Ronaldo, ignited the turnaround, reducing the deficit to 2-1 four minutes into the second half with a clever header.

It marked Benzema’s 19th RSL goal of the season, lifting him to joint-third in the 2024-25 scoring charts, level with Abderrazak Hamdallah and Julian Quinones and one behind Ivan Toney. He now trails Ronaldo, the golden boot’s current incumbent, by four goals.

“Our captain, he leads us a lot,” Aouar said. “Beginning of the second half, we scored two goals - this is very good for the hope.

“And then, yes, like I say, we never give up it from the beginning of the season. We score a lot of goals in the money-time. Today, again, so Alhamdulillah.”

Turning towards the Al Ittihad end of Al Awwal Park, who serenaded their ecstatic players below them on the pitch, Aouar said: “We deserve it. They deserve it. They push us until the last minute and, yes, let's go. We are very happy.”

Perhaps the only blemish on the night for Al Ittihad was the red card handed to Moussa Diaby following a post-match melee. Still, the 2022-23 champions stand two matches from reclaiming their crown.

Midfielder Fabinho, who led the celebrations with the Al Ittihad fans, was equally as effusive as Aouar.

"This is a moment in the season that reflects the greatness of the game," the Brazilian told the SPL. "This victory was very important. We managed to turn around a result like that, away from home, against a great team like Al Nassr.

"It gives our team even more confidence. So congratulations to everyone, congratulations on the comeback. That’s it. We take one more step toward our goal."

Echoing Al Ittihad's match-winner, Fabinho added: "I believe the team’s mentality made the difference. We have many experienced and victorious players. We knew that if we wanted to at least draw the match, we would have to do everything differently from the first half.

"One goal after another gave us confidence. Then, in the end, Aouar’s goal was truly a champion’s victory. We’re not champions yet, but that’s the goal. So this win is extremely important.”