Al-Ittihad Storm Back Into the Top Four With 4-1 Win Over Al-Ettifaq
Al-Ittihad delivered a commanding away performance, defeating Al-Ettifaq 4-1 in the tenth round of the Saudi Roshn League. The result returned the Tigers to the top four, while Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri made a decisive impact after coming off the bench to score twice in the closing stages.
Played at Al-Ettifaq’s home ground on Tuesday, the match featured a lively first half, a crucial response from Al-Ittihad after the break and a late burst that turned a competitive contest into a convincing victory. Nigerian forward George Ilenikhena opened the scoring, Houssem Aouar restored the visitors’ advantage, and En-Nesyri finished the job with two well-taken goals.
Ilenikhena Gives the Tigers an Early Lead
Al-Ittihad made their attacking intent clear from the start and took the lead in the 16th minute. Colombian midfielder Richard Rios created the opening with a clever back-heel inside the penalty area, setting up Ilenikhena to strike first time with his left foot. The finish gave the visitors an early reward for their forward movement and put Al-Ettifaq under pressure.
The home side responded rather than allowing the game to drift away from them. In the 34th minute, Radhi Al-Otaibi sent Sultan Haroun through with a long pass. Haroun raced into the box and calmly poked the ball between Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic’s legs to make it 1-1.
The equaliser gave Al-Ettifaq renewed energy and ensured the teams went into the break level. For Al-Ittihad, the challenge was to turn their promising spells into a more sustained threat. For the hosts, the goal offered hope that they could use their home advantage to claim points against one of the league’s strongest sides.
Aouar Restores Al-Ittihad’s Advantage
The second half began with Al-Ittihad pushing to regain control, and their pressure paid off eight minutes after the restart. Ilenikhena, already on the scoresheet, turned provider by driving a low cross across the goalmouth. Aouar arrived in the right place to convert from close range, finishing into an unguarded net and putting the Tigers back in front.
The goal proved pivotal. Al-Ittihad had regained the lead, but the margin remained narrow enough to keep Al-Ettifaq in the contest. The visitors needed another goal to create breathing room, while the home side had to find a way to break through a defence that was now protecting its advantage.
Al-Ittihad’s response also highlighted the value of having multiple contributors in attack. Ilenikhena’s influence extended beyond his opening goal, while Aouar’s timing and positioning helped turn a dangerous cross into a simple finish. That combination of direct running and support from midfield gave the visitors a more varied threat as the match developed.
En-Nesyri Changes the Game From the Bench
En-Nesyri entered late in the match and quickly made his presence felt. In the 80th minute, Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti sent a low ball into the area, and the Moroccan striker converted to extend Al-Ittihad’s lead to 3-1. The goal shifted the momentum decisively, leaving Al-Ettifaq with little time to mount a comeback.
Just five minutes later, En-Nesyri struck again. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi delivered a cross, and the forward met it with a well-placed header that beat the goalkeeper. His quickfire double completed the 4-1 scoreline and underlined the difference a fresh, experienced striker can make late in a match.
En-Nesyri’s contribution was especially valuable because it turned a potentially tense finish into a comfortable win. His first goal came from a low delivery, while the second showcased his aerial ability and movement in the box. For Al-Ittihad, the late scoring burst demonstrated the danger they can pose even when opponents have spent much of the match trying to contain them.
What the Result Means for the Saudi Roshn League Table
The victory lifts Al-Ittihad to 20 points and fourth place in the standings. They now sit two points ahead of Al-Ahli, who drop to fifth. Returning to the top four is an important boost for the Tigers as the league campaign progresses, particularly after a performance that combined an early breakthrough, a composed response to conceding and a powerful finish.
Al-Ettifaq remain on 15 points and fall to eighth after suffering their third defeat of the season. Haroun’s equaliser showed the hosts could threaten on the counter, but they were unable to maintain that level of danger after the break. Conceding twice in the final ten minutes also left the scoreline heavier than it might have been before En-Nesyri’s entrance.
Match Takeaways and the Next Prediction
For Al-Ittihad supporters, the most encouraging takeaway is the range of attacking options on display. Ilenikhena scored and assisted, Aouar supplied a timely finish, and En-Nesyri made an immediate impact from the bench. The result suggests the Tigers can find goals through different routes rather than relying on a single player or pattern of attack.
Any football prediction for Al-Ittihad’s next league outing will need to account for that depth, as well as the confidence gained from a four-goal away win. Still, one result does not guarantee an easy run ahead. Maintaining defensive concentration will remain important, especially after Al-Ettifaq exposed space behind the back line for their equaliser.
Al-Ettifaq, meanwhile, will look to recover by tightening their defensive organisation and making more of their attacking opportunities. Their ability to produce a direct, dangerous move was evident in Haroun’s goal, but they will need greater consistency across both halves if they are to climb back toward the upper half of the table.
For now, the night belongs to Al-Ittihad. The Tigers secured three valuable points, reclaimed a place in the top four and watched En-Nesyri turn a close contest into a statement victory. If their key attackers can maintain this form, they will remain a serious presence in the Saudi Roshn League race.
