Still reeling from matchday 26 of the Saudi League, this ‘big week’ of competition has left great expectations, with large audiences behind it. This decisive weekend in the Saudi Pro League has tightened the title race even further, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr (he scored two goals) closes in on the lead with eight rounds to go.
Al-Ahli vs Al-Ittihad
The star match of this magical week, as reflected in the numbers. Up to 361,462 spectators watched, through MARCA’s live coverage, the leader Al-Ittihad’s small slip-up. Benzema saved the day in added time and salvaged a draw against the fifth-placed team (Al-Ahli) in the ‘Coastal Derby’. It was a real duel of playmakers in Jeddah. Matthias Jaissle’s side opened the scoring through Roger Ibanez. Former Aston Villa man Moussa Diaby, Ivan Toney and Karim Benzema completed the list of scorers in a non-stop clash.
The team captained by the former Real Madrid player is still the favourite to win the title, but is only five points ahead of Al-Hilal and eight ahead of an Al-Nassr side that is flying. Laurent Blanc’s side will also play in the King’s Cup final against the league’s surprise package, Nacho and Michel’s Al-Qadisiya.
Al-Qadsiah vs Al-Ettifaq
The ‘Derby of the East’ also had a large number of fans behind the screen. 268,382 spectators watched the draw between Khobar and Damman. Al-Qadsiah, the surprise package of the season, is going through a slump before this final league sprint. Their neighbours equalised Mohammed Aboulshamat’s goal through their star, Wijnaldum, half an hour from the end
With this draw, Michel’s side have now gone three games without a win, and are falling behind in the title race, although they still have a chance. They are ten points behind the leaders and have a good chance of qualifying for the Asian Champions League. If they climb to third place (currently occupied by Al-Nassr, two points above), they would go through to the preliminary phase of this competition. Similarly, if they beat Benzema, Kante, Fabinho and co. in the Cup final, they would be assured of a place in the Asian Champions League.
Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassr
211,338 spectators saw Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular performance. The Portuguese’s two goals gave the Riyadh side three points that are worth their weight in gold. Goals from Ali Al-Hassan (Al-Nassr) and Ali Al-Bulaihi (Al-Hilal) completed the five-time Champions League winner’s football festival in the ‘Capital Derby’.
With this triumph, they are even closer to securing their place in the Asian Champions League. In addition, they close the gap on Al-Hilal, who are in second place, just three points above them. In this way, Cristiano’s long-awaited first title in the Saudi Pro League could be within reach. It’s the last chance for the Portuguese, who is having a dream end to the season.
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