Threatened with a fourth Roshn Saudi League match without a win and the risk of dropping yet more points in the title race, Al Ittihad did what would-be champions do.
They found a way.
“It was a tough game,” goalscorer Moussa Diaby said following Thursday night’s dramatic 2-1 victory against Al Riyadh in Jeddah. “Today, we had a lot of opportunities to win. But we did it. I’m very happy.”
Relieved, too, probably.
Al Ittihad had to put aside two disallowed goals - Karim Benzema was twice denied – first-half injuries to Steven Bergwijn and Houssem Aouar, and Ibrahim Bayesh cancelling out Diaby’s 55th-minute opener with a sublime solo goal nine minutes from time to seemingly snatch a point for Al Riyadh.
Suddenly, the RSL leaders stared at a fourth successive draw, and the prospect of concluding Matchweek 25 with their advantage at the summit reduced from four points to two.
But, deep into injury-time, came the reprieve. Saleh Al Shehri’s attempted overhead kick appeared to strike Ahmed Asiri’s hand inside the away penalty area, leaving VAR to confirm the infringement.
Al Shehri accepted the ball from Benzema and, with the clock reading 101 minutes, the Saudi striker kept his cool to stroke home from the spot. Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sport City erupted.
Al Ittihad’s celebrations matched those in the stands. The Jeddah club knew the significance of the result. There may be nine rounds remaining of this twisting and turning season, but they are seven points clear of second-placed Al Hilal.
With the champions still to complete their Matchweek 25 commitments – they travel to a buoyant Al Taawoun on Saturday night – Al Ittihad will enter the international break, at worst, four in front.
Diaby, sitting top of the 2024-25 assist charts (13) in his debut campaign in the Kingdom, is now looking forward, rather than back at what might have been.
“I think the team will get better and better day after day,” he said. “But every game is not easy. Everybody want to beat Al Ittihad, so you have to stay focused and try to win all the time.
“It was important to win today, because we do three draws in a row. So today, at home, we needed to win this game. Even if you have two players injured in the first half - this is a bad thing for today.
“But we have to continue. Now we have an international break, so we have to recover and come back with the same focus.”
