Al‑Ittihad’s Late Surge in SPL Week 30 Narrows Gap on Al‑Hilal

Week 30 of the Saudi Pro League turned into a roller‑coaster for Al‑Ittihad fans. Trailing 0‑3 at halftime against a mid‑table side, the Jeddah club rallied with three quick strikes in the second half to force a 3‑3 draw. The comeback not only salvaged a vital point but also pulled Al‑Ittihad within two points of league leaders Al‑Hilal.

What the comeback means for the title chase

Before the match, Al‑Hilal sat atop the standings with 58 points, while Al‑Ittihad lingered at 55. A loss would have seen the green‑and‑white side slip to third, but the draw keeps them firmly in the hunt. With only a handful of fixtures remaining, every point is now magnified.

Al‑Hilal, meanwhile, remains unbeaten this season and holds a superior goal difference. Their next fixture pits them against a fellow title contender, meaning a slip‑up could hand Al‑Ittihad the chance to overtake. The pressure is mounting on the defending champions to maintain momentum.

Key moments and player performances

The second‑half turnaround was sparked by a well‑placed header from striker Faisal Al‑Saeed in the 48th minute, followed by a swift counter‑attack finish from midfielder Nasser Al‑Ghannam. The final equaliser came from a penalty—converted by veteran forward Abdullah Al‑Mousa after a handball in the box.

Al‑Ittihad’s coach, Saeed Al‑Khaldi, praised his team’s “never‑give‑up attitude” and highlighted the tactical shift that saw the midfield push higher up the pitch. On the other side, Al‑Hilal’s manager, Roberto Guzman, warned that a complacent approach could be costly, especially as rivals close the gap.

Fans across the kingdom are already buzzing about the potential for a neck‑and‑neck finale. Social media threads are rife with predictions, and stadiums are seeing higher attendance as supporters hope to witness a title‑deciding clash.

As the season edges toward its climax, the Saudi Pro League promises drama, rivalry, and a showdown that could rewrite the championship narrative. All eyes now turn to the next round of fixtures, where every goal could dictate who lifts the trophy at the end of the campaign.