Al-Hilal 2-2 Al-Taawoun: Pro League title chasers salvage point but lose ground on Al-Nassr

Al-Hilal came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League but now sit five points adrift of Al-Nassr at the top of the standings.

Simone Inzaghi's side were hoping to move back within three points of the leaders, who defeated Al-Najma 5-3 on Friday with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice.

But after Mohamed Meite scored his first Pro League goal to put them ahead late in the first half, wriggling away from Mohammed Mahzari and firing home at the near post, Al-Hilal found themselves behind to two efforts from Andrei Girotto.

The Brazilian defender found the net with two headers in the 55th and 67th minutes – with the latter coming at the back post after a long throw caused a scramble in the area – to leave Al-Hilal staring at a first league loss of the campaign.

And while a poacher's finish from Marcos Leonardo in the 77th minute maintained Al-Hilal's unbeaten record, they have now drawn eight of their 27 matches this campaign. 

In third, Al-Ahli are level on points with Al-Hilal after easing to a 3-0 victory over Damac earlier on Saturday, with Ivan Toney and Matheus Goncalves scoring after Dhari Al-Anazi's own goal. 

Data Debrief: Al-Taawoun maintain international break record

Al-Hilal needed three points to stay within reach of Al-Nassr, who they still have to face before the end of the season, but things were never going to be easy against fifth-placed Al-Taawoun.

The visitors are now unbeaten in their last seven Pro League games coming out of an international break, winning five and drawing two.

Al-Hilal are also unbeaten in their last five such matches, winning three and drawing two, but it is victories they need if they are to reclaim the title.

And they suffered another blow as it was announced that striker Karim Benzema's absence from Saturday's game was due to injury, with only four days until they return to Pro League action against Al-Kholood on Wednesday.