In a crucial match at Al Majma'ah Sports City Stadium, Al Fayha secured a valuable and well-deserved 3-1 victory over Al Khaleej in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. This win was more than just three points for the "Orange" team; it provided a significant morale boost in their fight to avoid relegation.

Background of the confrontation and its importance in the context of the league

The Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention thanks to its attraction of international stars, enters a crucial phase with the start of the second half of the season. Every match takes on added importance, especially for mid-table teams like Al-Fayha and Al-Khaleej, who are striving to secure their positions and avoid the complexities of relegation. Before this match, both teams were aiming to improve their standings; Al-Fayha desperately needed points to escape the bottom of the table, while Al-Khaleej sought to solidify their position in the safe zone and move closer to the top spots.

A fiery first half that Al-Fayha won with three goals

Al-Fayha started the match with clear strength and determination, imposing their control on the game from the opening minutes. This pressure translated into an early goal in the 18th minute, an own goal when Al-Khaleej defender Hussein Al-Sultan attempted to clear a dangerous cross but inadvertently put it into his own net. The home side didn't stop there, continuing their organized attack. In the 38th minute, veteran English defender Chris Smalling, formerly of Manchester United and Roma, added a second goal with a well-placed header from a cross, highlighting the value of international experience in the league. Three minutes before the end of the first half, the speedy Zambian star Fashion Sakala delivered the final blow to Al-Khaleej's hopes in this half. He embarked on a brilliant individual run down the left flank, dribbling past several defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that nestled into the bottom left corner of goalkeeper Anthony Morris's net, ending the first half with Al-Fayha leading comfortably 3-0.

Gulf attempts to salvage the situation and Mosquera's brilliance

In the second half, Al-Khaleej came out determined to reduce the deficit and get back into the game. They intensified their attacking efforts, and a dangerous opportunity arose in the 65th minute when Spaniard Paulo Fernandez fired a shot, but the brilliant Panamanian goalkeeper, Luis Mosquera, was equal to the task. Al-Khaleej continued to press until they finally scored their only goal in the 80th minute through their Greek player, Giorgos Masouras, who received the ball inside the penalty area and cleverly slotted it past the goalkeeper to his right. Just a minute later, Fernandez almost added a second goal, but Mosquera's brilliance prevented it, preserving his team's lead and securing the three points.

Impact of the result on the standings table

With this crucial victory, Al-Fayha raised their points tally to 20, taking a significant step towards safety and distancing themselves from the relegation battle. Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej's points remained at 25, missing an opportunity to climb the standings and remaining in the middle of the table. This win underscores the importance of thorough preparation and capitalizing on opportunities in a league where only results matter, and it places added pressure on Al-Khaleej to get back on track in the upcoming rounds.

In an exceptional football match at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, Al-Ahli secured a resounding and well-deserved 4-0 in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The match witnessed a remarkable performance from English striker Ivan Tony , who scored a hat-trick to lead his team to three valuable points.

This match comes amidst a historic season for the Saudi Professional League, which has attracted a host of international football stars, raising the level of competition and media and fan interest. Al-Ahli, making a strong return to the top flight, aims to secure a top-four finish and compete for titles, relying on a constellation of stars such as Algerian Riyad Mahrez and Senegalese Edouard Mendy. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq aspires to improve its position in the standings and deliver a performance worthy of its history.

Al Ahli started the match with a clear attacking impetus, translating their dominance into an early goal in the 17th minute. After a quick run down the right flank by star player Riyad Mahrez , he delivered a perfect cross that found Ivan Toni, who made no mistake in putting it into the net with a first-time shot to the right of goalkeeper Marek Rodak. Al Ittifaq almost equalized quickly, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made a brilliant save from a dangerous shot by Mukhtar Ali in the 23rd minute. Four minutes later, Al Ahli were awarded a penalty, which Toni, the penalty specialist, confidently converted in the 27th minute to make it 2-0.

In the second half, Al Ahly continued their dominance, adding a third goal in the 64th minute through Frenchman Valentin Atangana , who received a decisive pass from the outstanding Tony and powerfully struck the ball into the net. Six minutes before the final whistle, Tony returned to complete the rout from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, scoring his third goal of the match and his team's fourth.

With this victory, Al-Ahli raised their points tally to 43 , strengthening their position among the top teams and continuing to put pressure on the league leaders. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq's points remained at 29. Individually, Ivan Toni took sole possession of the top spot in the league's scoring charts with 19 goals , confirming his status as one of the league's standout signings this season and establishing himself as a strong contender for the Golden Boot award.

In a surprising development that has shaken Saudi football circles, reliable journalist Santi Ona revealed that French star Karim Benzema, captain of Al-Ittihad, has made the firm decision to miss his team's upcoming match against Al-Fateh in the Saudi Professional League. Ona explained that the reason for this shocking decision stems from the player's dissatisfaction with the contract renewal offer presented to him by the club's management, which prompted him to officially inform them of his decision not to participate.

Sources confirmed that this decision was Benzema's personal initiative, without any intervention from the management or coaching staff, placing the club in a difficult position ahead of a crucial match in the league title race. This move further fuels the speculation surrounding the player's future with Al-Ittihad, especially given the high expectations that accompanied his signing.

Background of the deal and its impact on the Saudi League

Karim Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 was a historic transfer, not only for the Jeddah-based club but for the entire Saudi league. Benzema, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, arrived from Real Madrid after a legendary career. This move was part of a massive sporting project aimed at elevating the Saudi league's global profile and attracting millions of viewers worldwide. Benzema was considered the icon of this project, the player who would give the team and the league unparalleled technical and media attention.

The technical significance and expected impact of the absence

Domestically, Benzema's absence is a significant blow to Al-Ittihad's ambitions. He is not just a striker; he is the team's leader and the tactical linchpin upon which their attacking plans are built. He was heavily relied upon to decide difficult matches, and his absence at this crucial time leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, increasing the pressure on his teammates and the coaching staff. As for the fans, this decision is a genuine shock and raises serious concerns about the team's stability and the commitment of its star players.

Regional and international repercussions on the reputation of the sports project

Internationally, this crisis highlights the challenges Saudi clubs face in managing their relationships with global stars. Such disputes, if not resolved wisely, could damage the league's reputation as a destination for top talent in the future. The international media will be closely following this issue, as it represents a test of the clubs' ability to handle the demands and expectations of players of Benzema's caliber. How this crisis is managed will send an important message to other stars about the professional environment in the Saudi league. The French star's future with Al-Ittihad remains uncertain, pending developments in the coming days that could reshape the situation for both the club and the player.