Al-Ittihad crowned as champions after Al-Raed victory
JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad are champions of Saudi Arabia for the 10th time after winning 3-1 at Al-Raed on Thursday.
The Tigers are now nine points clear of Al-Hilal and as the second-placed team have just three games remaining and have an inferior head-to-record, there is no way they can catch the leaders.
Just two years after their last title triumph, Al-Ittihad now take the Saudi Pro League trophy back to Jeddah and for the rest, the focus is now all about finishing in second and qualifying for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite.
It's now OFFICIAL: @ittihad_en are the 2024/25 #RoshnSaudiLeague champions pic.twitter.com/f7I9r7QJwm
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) May 15, 2025
It looked as if there would be another twist at the top when Oumar Gonzalez put Al-Raed, who are officially relegated, ahead after just nine minutes. The Cameroonian pounced on a rare defensive mistake from N'Golo Kante to fire home from close range.
With top scorer Karim Benzema watching injured from the sidelines, there may have been a few concerns but if Laurent Blanc's men were rattled, they didn't let it show as they were back level after just 21 minutes thanks to Steven Bergwijn. Abdulrahman Al-Oboud broke into the right side of the area and squared the ball for the Dutchman who made no mistake.
#RoshnSaudiLeague #Alittihad_Alraed
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) May 15, 2025
It was obvious from the reactions of the Al-Ittihad attackers that they wanted more and they took the lead five minutes before the break. Unai Hernandez swung over a corner from the left and Danilo Pereira was the first to the ball at the near post to head smartly past the 'keeper.
From then, it was always going to be difficult for the hosts and it was game over just two minutes after the restart. Bergwijn chipped a pass or a shot through a crowded area and Al-Aboud was there on the goal line to bundle the ball home to seal the win and the title.
The t-shirts with 'Champions 25' were soon put on and the celebrations started. They may continue for some time.
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