Saleh Al Shehri's 101st-minute penalty guided Al-Ittihad to a nervy 2-1 victory over Al-Riyadh, extending their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to seven points.

Al-Riyadh thought they had snatched a point through a stunning run and strike from Ibrahim Bayesh, but they could not hold on as Al-Ittihad dug deep after losing Steven Bergwijn and Hassan Aouar to injury.

Bergwijn went off with a concerning ankle injury in the 38th minute, and matters got worse for the league leaders when Aouar limped off holding his hamstring just before half-time.

Al-Ittihad, who were already without N'Golo Kante and Fabinho due to suspension, had earlier seen a potential opener from Karim Benzema ruled out for an offside decision against Bergwijn.

They went ahead through Moussa Diaby in the 56th minute, only for Bayesh to drive infield from the left and rifle a brilliant shot into the top-right corner for an 81st-minute equaliser.

But Al-Ittihad were awarded a penalty for Ahmad Asiri's handball deep into stoppage time, and Al Shehri blasted his kick into the top-left corner.

The 12 signalled minutes of stoppage time ended up stretching to 19, but Al-Ittihad held on to pull further clear of Al-Hilal, who face Al-Taawoun on Saturday.

تسلم يدك #الاتحاد_الرياض pic.twitter.com/j5NC7LUMIf

— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) March 13, 2025

Data Debrief: Leaders win, but at what cost?

Al-Ittihad's victory ended a run of three straight draws, which has offered Al-Hilal hope of retaining their Saudi Pro League crown.

Though they got back to winning ways here, Laurent Blanc will have been concerned by the sight of Bergwijn and Aouar limping off in the first half.

They have 30 goal involvements between them in the Saudi Pro League this season; Bergwin scoring 10 and assisting six, while Aouar has scored 10 and teed up four. Al-Ittihad will hope for positive news on their fitness in the coming days.