Al-Ittihad mantido pelo Al-Kholood no sorteio da Saudi Pro League

Al-Ittihad took the lead through Youssef En-Nesyri in the 43rd minute, carrying that advantage into the interval with a foothold in the contest. The home side had controlled stretches of possession without overwhelming their visitors, but En-Nesyri's finish offered them a tangible reward for their dominance.

Al-Kholood emerged with renewed purpose after the break and levelled within nine minutes of the restart. Joao Domingues capitalised on an Al-Ittihad lapse to restore parity in the 52nd minute, dragging his side back into contention when they had been on the brink of a first-half defeat. The goal sparked a shift in momentum, with the visitors suddenly threatening to take control.

The match took a fractious turn when Al-Ittihad's Damiao Pereira received a red card in the 58th minute, reducing the hosts to ten men. That numerical disadvantage should have tilted the balance decisively in Al-Kholood's favour, yet the visitors could not capitalise on their numerical superiority. Mohamed Shanqeeti picked up a yellow card for Al-Ittihad in the 66th minute as tensions escalated, while yellow cards for Al-Kholood's Cristiano Da Costa earlier in the match reflected the competitive edge throughout.

The final whistle brought Al-Ittihad 1-1 Al-Kholood after eight minutes of stoppage time, leaving both teams to reflect on a draw neither fully deserved. For Al-Ittihad, the loss of Pereira proved costly, as they could not find a winner despite creating chances. Al-Kholood departed with a creditable point earned on the road, though frustration lingered over their inability to edge ahead with the extra man.