Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic bagged a hat-trick on Friday as Al-Hilal pulled off a stunning comeback to beat 4-3 with Al-Ittihad.
2023/2024 Saudi Professional League
3-4
Match Report
The hosts came into the game as Saudi League Champions and had not dropped a point so far this season.
It looked like their form would continue when Brazilian captain Romarinho opened the scoring after just 16 minutes.
Mitrovic equalised minutes later, but goals from star signing Karim Benzema and Abderrazak Hamdallah meant Ittihad were leading 3-1 at the break.
Jorge Jesus' side did not let their heads drop, though, as Mitrovic added two more goals in five minutes to bring the scores level with 25 minutes remaining.
Nasser Al-Dawsari then completed the turnaround with a 71st minute winner that moved his side top of the Pro League.
Al-Hilal are the only side who remain unbeaten, with four wins and a draw from their opening five games.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side remain just one point behind after picking up four wins before Friday's setback.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
16' GOAL! Ittihad Club 1-0 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Romarinho)
20' GOAL! Ittihad Club 1-1 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Mitrovic)
27' Hamdallah's shot wide out
31' Benzema's shot stopped
38' GOAL! Ittihad Club 2-1 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Benzema)
41' Yellow Card! Omar Hawsawi booked
45' Malcom hits the bar
53' GOAL! Ittihad Club 3-1 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Abderrazak Hamdallah)
61' GOAL! Ittihad Club 3-2 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Mitrovic)
65' Penalty Goal! Ittihad Club 3-3 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Mitrovic)
71' GOAL! Ittihad Club 3-4 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (Salem Al Dawsari)
Line-ups
Ittihad Club XI: Benzema, Marcelo Grohe, Romarinho, Omar Hawsawi, Igor Coronado, Kante, Fabinho, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Madallah Al-Olayan, Ahmed Sharahili, Ahmed Bamsaud
Subs: Saleh Jamaan Al-Amri, Jota, Muhannad Shanqeeti, Sultan Al-Farhan, Haroune Camara, Hasan Kadesh, Osama Al-Mermesh, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Zakaria Hawsawi
Al-Hilal Saudi FC XI: Koulibaly, Yasir Al Shahrani, Bounou, Salem Al Dawsari, Mitrovic, Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, Mohammed Kanoo, Malcom, Ali Albulayhi, Saud Abdulhamid
Subs: Abdullah Al Maiouf, Salman Al Faraj, Mohammed Jahfali, Mohammed Al Burayk, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Michael, Hassan Tambakti, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Khalifah Al-Dawsari