What happened in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 18
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick cemented Al Nassr in top spot and bottom-placed Al Batin tasted victory for the first time this term during Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 18.
Details and match highlights are below.
AL TAAWOUN 1-1 AL FAYHA
Al Taawoun centre-back Hassan Kadesh struck in the final seconds for the second time this season against Al Fayha and secured another draw.
Macedonia attacker Aleksandar Trajkovski’s thumping first-half volley put the visitors on the cusp of victory. But just like in September, Kadesh would deny them three points at the death.
Al Taawoun stay fifth, while Al Fayha sit 11th.
AL ITTIHAD 0-0 AL RAED
Al Ittihad dropped points in the title race after they were held by a determined Al Raed.
In the absence of lethal Morocco hit man Abderrazak Hamdallah, the Tigers failed to net in the league for the first time since January 5.
Second-placed Al Ittihad find themselves two points in arrears to Al Nassr. Al Raed are 10th.
ABHA 1-2 AL WEHDA
Early goals from promoted Al Wehda saw them return to winning ways at Abha’s expense.
Morocco international Faycal Fajr and Islam Hawsawi put the visitors 2-0 ahead, by 19 minutes. An own goal from defender Abdulelah Bukhari before the half-hour mark could not prevent them from earning a first victory in four top-flight fixtures.
Al Wehda are 13th. Abha sit ninth.
AL ADALAH 2-0 AL KHALEEJ
Al Adalah ignited their campaign when second-half goals from Reinaldo Lenis and Marcus Antonsson saw them past fellow promoted-side Al Khaleej.
Close-range strikes from the pair were enough to earn a second league win in 2023.
Al Adalah stay 15th. There is now a three-point gap to 14th-placed Al Khaleej, one spot outside the relegation zone.
AL BATIN 1-0 ETTIFAQ
Uruguayan striker Renzo Lopez’s stunning half-volley witnessed bottom-placed Al Batin claim victory at the 18th time of asking, at Ettifaq’s expense.
The winter addition showcased superb technique to fire high into the goal on 41 minutes.
Al Batin stay 16th. Ettifaq are 12th.
DAMAC 0-3 AL NASSR
Ronaldo’s ruthless first-half hat-trick fired leaders Al Nassr past Damac.
A precise spot-kick, refined low drive from the penalty box’s edge and predatory tap-in made it 16 league games unbeaten for Rudi Garcia’s visitors.
Al Nassr sit top and Damac are seventh.