Al-Hilal 3-1 Al-Ittihad: Mitrovic at the double in top-of-table Pro League clash
Al-Hilal moved three points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League after defeating rivals Al-Ittihad 3-1 at home.
Aleksandar Mitrovic's double helped Al-Hilal claim a 3-1 victory over rivals Al-Ittihad to move three points clear in the Saudi Pro League.
After just four games, it puts the defending champions in the driving seat while denting the aspirations of Al-Ittihad.
The Serbian striker had put the hosts ahead after just three minutes with a header from the centre of the box, having met Ruben Neves' deep cross from the right.
Mitrovic doubled Al-Hilal's lead from the spot just 11 minutes later after Abdulelah Al Amri brought Renan Lodi down in the area.
Al-Hilal increased the deficit to three before half-time as Salem Al Dawsari added to the scoreline in the 36th minute, receiving down the left from Neves once more before driving clear in the box and finishing coolly.
Karim Benzema fired home in the 85th minute, though it was nothing but a consolation for Al-Ittihad.
Data Debrief: Al Dawsari prolific in Saudi's big game
While Mitrovic, who has now netted 51 goals in 50 Al-Hilal matches, stole the show, Al Dawsari became the all-time top scorer in meetings between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad across all competitions with 10 goals, in addition to providing seven assists. He has contributed to eight goals in the last 10 such matches (six goals and two assists).
These sides have now met 33 times in the Pro League, with Al-Hilal winning 17 times, Al-Ittihad on six occasions, and 10 matches ending in a draw.
Indeed, Al-Hilal, who mustered 2.16 xG to Al-Ittihad's 1.23, are now unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against their great rivals.