In a sensational Saudi Classico showdown on September 01, Aleksandar Mitrovic orchestrated a remarkable comeback as Al-Hilal clinched a 4-3 victory over Al-Ittihad, leaving fans in awe.
The defending champions, who had kept clean sheets in their first four Roshn Saudi League matches, shockingly conceded three goals in just 10 minutes, courtesy of Mitrovic’s stunning hat-trick. This defeat marked the fifth consecutive time that Al-Ittihad’s coach, Nuno Santo, couldn’t secure a win against the mighty Blues.
For now, Al-Hilal sits atop the league standings, although temporarily, until Al-Ahli, the only team with an unblemished record, takes on Al-Fateh. Regardless of the outcome, it’s doubtful that any match will surpass the spectacle witnessed in this thrilling Classico encounter.
The game kicked off with Al-Ittihad taking the lead in the 16th minute, thanks to Romarinho, who capitalized on Abderrazak Hamdallah’s assist. This marked the first goal conceded by Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou since his arrival from Sevilla in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal responded swiftly just four minutes later, as Mitrovic unleashed a breathtaking strike that left Marcelo Grohe stunned. Saud Abdulhamid delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, finding the Serbian striker, who executed a sublime right-footed volley into the top corner.
Both teams continued to press for the next crucial goal, and it was Karim Benzema who restored the Tigers’ lead with a remarkable strike, cleverly flicking the ball home with the back of his right boot after Ahmed Bamsaud’s precise pass.
Al-Ittihad extended their lead in added time of the first half when Hamdallah capitalized on a costly mistake by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The second half witnessed Al-Hilal’s dominance as they sought a comeback. Bounou’s crucial saves kept their hopes alive. The pivotal moment arrived on the hour mark when Abdulhamid’s cross found Mitrovic, whose header was initially denied by Grohe, only for Mitrovic to tap in the rebound.
Just two minutes later, a foul on substitute Michael led to Mitrovic converting a penalty, leveling the score in this roller-coaster of a match.
With Al-Ittihad in disarray, Salem Al-Dawsari found the net after a precise header from Milinkovic-Savic, giving Al-Hilal their first lead of the game.
Despite Al-Ittihad’s desperate attempts, they couldn’t breach Bounou’s resolute goalkeeping. After an extended 12 minutes of added time, Al-Hilal emerged as the victorious side in this epic contest.
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