Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Qadsiah: Diaby and Benzema inspire hosts

Al-Ittihad cut the gap on Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal back to three points after Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah.

Karim Benzema needed just seven minutes to open the scoring, though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang soon restored parity with a 20th-minute finish of his own.

Moussa Diaby created Benzema’s opener and found the net himself just past the hour, edging the hosts back into the lead after linking up with Houssem Aouar.

Substitute Mario Mitaj made sure of the victory nine minutes from time, helping Al-Ittihad to their sixth win in seven league games to start their campaign.

To the best fans in the world: This one’s for you! #Alittihad_AlQadsiah#NightOfLoyalty pic.twitter.com/5Rg6GPLNY2

— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) October 19, 2024

Data Debrief: Dazzling Diaby

Diaby has provided assists in his last five league matches (eight in total), matching the competition-leading streaks by Mishari Al-Thamali, with Al-Faisaly in 2014, and Carlos Villanueva for Al-Ittihad in 2017.

The former Aston Villa winger’s eight assists are also the most in the first seven rounds of a season in Saudi Arabia’s top-flight, marking history for Diaby.

His efforts helped Al-Ittihad to their fourth home win in seven league games to start a season, only managing to achieve this feat in the 2014-15 campaign, when they ended the term second.