Al-Ittihad take big step toward SPL title

Nassr's Portuguese forward #7 Cristiano Ronaldo is marked by Ittihad's Saudi defender #15 Hassan Kadesh during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 08 May 2025
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Al-Ittihad take big step toward SPL title

  • Al-Ittihad come from 2 goals down to defeat Al-Nassr 3-2
  • Salem Al-Dawsari’s hat trick for Hilal means race not over

RIYADH: Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Nassr 3-2 on Wednesday to take a big step toward the Saudi Pro League title.

With four games of the season remaining, Ittihad are six points clear and are looking good for the big prize.

Somehow the visitors came back from two goals down to record the win. By the break, Al-Nassr were two goals to the good and were on course for a huge victory.

It started in fine fashion as Sadio Mane put Nassr ahead and then eight minutes before the break, Ayman Yahya made it 2-0.

In the first 10 minutes after the restart and Ittihad were level. First, Karim Benzema pulled a goal back and then N’Golo Kante scored to level the game.

The result seemed inevitable but then Al-Ittihad scored once more through Houssem Aouar and that ended up winning the game.

In the other big game of the day, Al-Hilal won 5-3 at Al-Raed to ensure that the race for the top is not over.

Salem Al-Dawsari was the hero for Al-Hilal as he scored three goals for the 19-time champions. His first came four minutes before the break.

The Saudi Arabian international has been in fine form of late. His first came four minutes before the break after Aleksandar Mitrovic had opened the scoring just after the half-hour. It was looking good with a two goal lead for the Riyadh giants who parted company with coach Jorge Jesus just days earlier.

Al-Raed pulled one back just before half time but Al-Dawsari restored the two goal lead on the hour and when Malcom added a fourth soon after, it looked to be job done. The hosts hit back once more however but Al Dawsari was on hand once again to keep Hilal's faint title hopes alive.

Elsewhere, just four days after being crowned Asian champions Al Ahli returned to domestic action to defeat Al Taawoun 2-0 to go above Al-Nassr into third.


Earthquakes sign German striker Timo Werner

Updated 57 min 21 sec ago
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Earthquakes sign German striker Timo Werner

  • “We’re excited about signing Timo Werner,” Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena said
  • Werner has been a part of a title-winning side in the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club ⁠World Cup

NEW YORK: The San Jose Earthquakes acquired forward Timo Werner from Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig on a permanent transfer Thursday and signed him to a designated player contract through June 2028.
San Jose acquired the German international’s “discovery priority” from Red Bull New York for $50,000 in 2026 general allocation money.
“We’re excited about signing Timo Werner,” Earthquakes sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said. “I think he’ll be an excellent acquisition for our team, and we’re really looking forward to him coming to San Jose. To have a player of Timo’s caliber ⁠coming in is simply outstanding for the club and the community. I believe he’ll offer us quality on the field, experience and leadership.”


Werner, 29, has been a part of a title-winning side in the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club ⁠World Cup. He will occupy an international roster spot.
“It’s always a big decision to go to America, but everything is there to be successful,” Werner said. “The stadium and the facilities are beautiful. Also, it really impressed me that an experienced manager like Bruce, who has had so much success in the league, flew over here to Germany to talk to me about the plan.
“The Earthquakes fans can expect to get a player who gives everything ⁠on the pitch, every game. Every club I’ve joined, I’ve wanted to win a trophy. In the end, I’ve always delivered. That’s why I want to come to San Jose — to win.”
Werner has recorded 154 goals in 451 matches across all competitions in the Bundesliga and English Premier League while representing RB Leipzig, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC and VfB Stuttgart.
At the international level, Werner has totaled 24 goals in 57 caps for Germany, representing his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.