Three takeaways: Late drama in Dammam as Al Qadsiah and Al Ittihad draw

Al Arabiya

07-03-2025

A 96th-minute goal from French midfielder N'Golo Kante broke Al Qadsiah hearts on Thursday night as Saudi Pro League leader Al Ittihad snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat. In a remarkable end to the game in Dammam, Al Qadsiah took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first minute of stoppage time - only to be denied five minutes later by Kante's intervention.
A victory would have propelled Al Qadsiah to within four points of Laurent Blanc's side and right into the thick of the Saudi Pro League title race; instead Al Ittihad maintained its seven-point cushion, though fellow rival Al Hilal could now close that gap this weekend. Here, Al Arabiya English brings you three key takeaways from Al Qadsiah and Al Ittihad's 1-1 draw.
A dramatic draw in Dammam
Third-placed Al Qadsiah and Saudi Pro League leader Al Ittihad delivered a dose of high drama at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, with the game's thrilling conclusion proving an excellent advert for the Kingdom's top division. For 90 minutes, two of the league's leading teams went toe-to-toe in a hugely entertaining spectacle. But it was the finale that really caused fans to draw their collective breath.
With both sides squandering opportunities to score a winner, it appeared the match was heading toward a stalemate. But a slick move from Al Qadsiah saw Uruguay international Nahitan Nández find himself in space down the right and he pulled the ball back into the penalty area. It fell to the ideal individual for Al Qadsiah as captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang used every ounce of his experience to calmly sweep the ball past Al Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Ex-Arsenal and Barcelona forward Aubameyang has been a vital part of the team's success this season, with the 35-year-old's teammates always quick to praise not only his talent, but the professionalism and hunger he still brings to training each day. On Thursday night, however, Aubameyang's intervention was not a winning one for Al Qadsiah. Al Ittihad had its own Francophone veterans to call on, with Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante combining for the equalizer.
Benzema's goal-scoring contributions have been well documented this season, with the striker in second place behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot. But the ex-Real Madrid and France striker has also been a generous provider for his teammates. Only Al Ittihad's Moussa Diaby and Al Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari - both wingers who are expected to contribute assists - have more than Benzema's eight Pro League assists. This time, as the clock ticked down, Benzema kept his cool to swing an inch-perfect cross toward Kante, who stole in at the back post to poke the ball home for the latest of late levelers.
Quiñones off color but Casteels calm
There were mixed fortunes in Dammam for two of Al Qadsiah's star players this season: striker Julián Quiñones and goalkeeper Koen Casteels. Both have contributed immensely as Michel's side has defied expectations to reach the upper echelons of the Saudi Pro League in its first campaign back in the top flight. Mexico forward Quiñones has been freescoring, netting 20 goals in 24 games in all competitions. But against Ittihad, it was a bad day at the office for the 27-year-old, who arrived from Club America last summer.
He had three excellent opportunities to put Al Qadsiah ahead, but thrice failed to convert the chances. Five minutes into the game, Quiñones hammered the ball against the post with the goal at his mercy and minutes later he was superbly denied by young Ittihad defender Muath Faqeehi's last-ditch tackle. Then late in the game, Quiñones was clean through but fluffed his lines - his shot sailing high over the crossbar. Al Qadsiah fans will be quick to forgive, however, as only the second time this season - and first since October - that Quiñones has gone two successive games without scoring.
At the other end of the pitch, Al Qadsiah was aided by another heroic display by goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The current Belgium national team No. 1 has kept 13 clean sheets in 24 matches this season, helping Al Qadsiah carve out the Saudi Pro League's best defensive record. For context, second place in the clean sheet rankings is Al Ahli's Edouard Mendy, with four fewer shutouts.
On Thursday night, Casteels was in fine form again.
He brilliantly tipped Houssem Aouar's spectacular long-range strike over the crossbar and then produced two saves in quick succession as Al Ittihad was probing for the winner in the last couple of minutes of normal time. On both occasions, Casteels superbly denied Steven Bergqijn from point-blank range - getting down low to divert the Dutchman's two efforts away from goal.
Kante's late equalizer was particularly cruel for Casteels, who fell agonizingly short of a 14th clean sheet of the season.
Title still Al Ittihad's to lose
Late drama has now punctuated each of Al Ittihad's past three games. But after previously conceding stoppage-time equalizers to Al Khaleej and Al Akhdoud in potentially damaging draws, the tie in Dammam feels more like a point gained for Laurent Blanc's side. That was certainly the way the French coach saw it after the game.
'The main reason for today's result is the quality of the opponent,' Blanc said. 'We must commend Al Qadsiah and their coach for creating an outstanding team. This is a team that has defeated Al Nasr, then Al Hilal, and other competing teams, and that demands our respect. Despite the draw, I congratulate the players.'
If Al Hilal beats Al Fayha on Friday as expected, the gap at the top of the table between leader Al Ittihad and its primary challenger would be reduced to four points. But with Al Hilal also looking increasingly fallible, Al Ittihad's Saudi Pro League title hopes remain firmly in its own hands. Next up for Blanc's side is a home clash with Al Riyadh before its King's Cup semifinal with Al Shabab after the international break. Then comes arguably Al Ittihad's biggest challenge between now and the end of the season - a pivotal Jeddah derby against Al Ahli on April 5.
With 10 games of the season, there is no question that the title is Al Ittihad's to lose, but Blanc knows that for the club to win its 10th championship, he will have to coach his players through a pressure-filled period.
'[We know] Everyone plays against us with intensity because we are at the top of the table,' Blanc said. 'We are aware of the strength of the competitors and the intensity of the competition. This means that the players must exert their utmost efforts and show their quality.'