Al-Ittihad secured a dramatic victory over Al-Taawoun on Thursday evening, staging a thrilling comeback thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Houssem Aouar. The match, played in the Saudi Professional League, saw Al-Taawoun take an early lead before Al-Ittihad fought back to claim a hard-fought win.
The first half was a relatively subdued affair, with both sides struggling to create genuine opportunities. Al-Taawoun, initially applying pressure, kept Al-Ittihad's defence on high alert. Al-Ittihad found it difficult to move the ball forward, relying on long clearances due to their slow pace. The only notable incident came when Al-Saluli mishandled a pass from Fabinho, allowing Diaby to steal the ball and come close to scoring for Al-Taawoun.
The second half witnessed a complete transformation in the tempo and intensity of the game, with both sides adopting a more aggressive approach. Benzema had a goal disallowed for offside after a well-struck left-footed shot. However, the breakthrough for Al-Taawoun came in the form of a stunning long-range effort from Barrow, which rocketed into the top corner, putting Al-Ittihad under considerable pressure.
Al-Ittihad responded swiftly, orchestrating a fluid team move that led to Benzema's equaliser. Following his goal, Laurent Blanc's side gained momentum, with Aouar and Diaby combining effectively to create dangerous chances. The drama reached its peak in the 98th minute when Diaby was fouled in the penalty area by Al-Saluli, who was subsequently shown a red card. With Benzema unable to take the penalty due to an injury, Aouar stepped up and calmly converted the decisive spot-kick.
The win for Al-Ittihad marks a crucial victory in the Saudi Professional League, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess. Al-Taawoun, despite their initial lead, were ultimately outplayed by a determined Al-Ittihad side, who demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and secure a memorable comeback.
