World newspapers comment on Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad's draw and Benzema's situation
The thrilling Saudi Arabian football classic between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, garnered widespread international attention, with the eyes of the global press turning to the Kingdom to follow one of the most intense matches in the Middle East. This increased interest comes amidst the major sporting boom the Kingdom is experiencing, which has made the Saudi League a destination for the world's top football stars, thus giving the top matches a global character that transcends local and regional boundaries.
A football epic despite the numerical disadvantage
The match witnessed a dramatic turn of events that kept fans on the edge of their seats, as Al-Ittihad were forced to play with ten men from the ninth minute after defender Hassan Kadash was sent off. Despite this early numerical disadvantage, which usually shifts the balance of power, Al-Ittihad displayed tactical resilience and a high fighting spirit, enabling them to secure a valuable 1-1 draw against their arch-rivals Al-Hilal, in a match that critics considered a masterclass in defensive discipline.
Benzema... a goal-scoring drought against his former team
Press coverage focused particularly on French star Karim Benzema, who played the match in Al-Hilal's jersey after his transfer from Al-Ittihad in the winter transfer window of 2016. The Spanish newspaper AS highlighted the paradox in Benzema's performance, noting that despite his playmaking contributions, he failed to score against his former team in crucial moments. The newspaper considered Al-Ittihad's defense's success in neutralizing Benzema's threat as a form of "symbolic footballing revenge" and a strong message confirming that the team does not depend on a single player, regardless of his star status.
Global praise for Al-Ittihad's tactical brilliance
Internationally, ESPN analyzed the match from a technical perspective, emphasizing that Al-Hilal, despite their complete dominance of possession, lacked effective solutions to break down Al-Ittihad's compact defense. The network praised the tactical intelligence of Al-Ittihad's players, who knew how to control the game despite the adverse circumstances, describing the point they secured as "feeling like a victory.".
For its part, the Portuguese press, specifically the newspaper “A Bola”, praised coach Sergio Conceição, commending his ability to manage the crisis after the early dismissal, and to instill a fighting spirit in his players to withstand the blue attacking tide.
Impact of the result on the title race
This draw cast a long shadow over the league standings, reshaping the title race. Al-Nassr capitalized on Al-Hilal's stumble, seizing the top spot with 55 points after a resounding 4-0 victory over Al-Hazm, extending their lead to just one point over Al-Hilal, who dropped to second place. These shifts in the standings underscore the fierce competition in the Saudi league and the close levels of play, promising an exceptional season right down to the final rounds.
