Benzema late show sees Al-Ittihad claim dramatic win

Al-Ittihad secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Al-Taawoun thanks to Karim Benzema's stoppage-time goal.

Benzema swept home in the 95th minute on the back of a mazy run from Houssem Aouar, who supplied a neat throughball into the area.

The veteran campaigner's 14th Saudi Pro League goal of the season broke Al-Taawoun's resolve after they had restored parity through Musa Barrow deep into first-half stoppage time.

Abdulrahman Al Obud had opened the scoring in the 21st minute for Al-Ittihad, whose win saw them move three points clear of Al-Hilal at the Pro League summit.

Al-Hilal will get the chance to move back level on points with Al-Ittihad when they face Damac on Saturday.

Al-Taawoun, who sit ninth, have now won only one of their last 13 matches against Al-Ittihad in the league.

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Elsewhere, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played a starring role as Al-Qadsiah beat Al-Raed 2-0.

Aubameyang put Al-Qadsiah ahead on the stroke of half-time before teeing up Julian Quinones to settle matters in the 96th minute.

Third-place Al-Qadsiah are now three points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, who face Al-Feiha on Friday.

In Thursday's other Pro League contest, Al-Shabab hammered Al-Khaleej 5-1.

That is despite Al-Khaleej creating chances worth 2.64 expected goals, to Al-Shabab's 1.8 xG.

Al-Shabab captain Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah helped himself to a hat-trick, with defender Wesley Hoedt scoring twice.

Abdullah Al Salem netted for Al-Khaleej, who saw opposing goalkeeper Heorhii Bushchan make eight saves.