Al Ittihad edge Al Nassr 2-1 as Ilenikhena strikes twice

Sep 17, 2026
Share this article
Al Ittihad edge Al Nassr 2-1 as Ilenikhena strikes twice

Al Ittihad defeated Al Nassr 2–1 in Matchday 5 of the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, in front of a reported crowd of about 47,661 spectators.

George Ilenikhena was the standout performer, netting a brace to hand Al Ittihad the win. The forward opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute before doubling the lead in the 22nd minute, putting the home side firmly in control.

Al Nassr pulled one back through Ângelo Gabriel in the 36th minute, cutting the deficit to 2–1, but they were unable to find an equaliser as the match finished in Al Ittihad's favour.

The result ended Al Nassr's perfect start to the season. The visitors had won their opening four league matches and arrived in Jeddah with an unbeaten record, which Al Ittihad brought to a halt on home soil.

Why it matters

The Jeddah derby-style clash between two of the Kingdom's biggest clubs is always one of the season's most anticipated fixtures, drawing large local crowds and strong interest among residents across Saudi Arabia. For fans planning to attend future Al Ittihad home games, official tickets are sold as e-tickets through Saudi Pro League–authorized online platforms and the club's official channels, scanned via QR code at stadium gates. Ticket prices for league matches typically range from around SAR 50–70 for basic categories up to roughly SAR 250–400 for premium and VIP seating, with high-profile fixtures usually falling in the mid to upper part of that range.


Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

Up Next

Mahd Academy Opens Football Tryouts in 16 Cities

Mahd Academy Opens Football Tryouts in 16 Cities

Mahd Academy launches free football tryouts across 16 Saudi cities from September to December 2026 for boys born 2013–2017. Register online now.

Sep 16,2026
Saudi U-21 Team Trains in Japan for Asian Games

Saudi U-21 Team Trains in Japan for Asian Games

The Saudi U-21 football team continues training in Japan ahead of its Asian Games campaign, opening against Qatar in Group D.

Sep 16,2026
Al-Qadsiah Win as Saudi Trio Start ACL Elite

Al-Qadsiah Win as Saudi Trio Start ACL Elite

Al-Qadsiah beat Al-Wasl 2–1 as the only Saudi winner on Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite, while Al-Nassr fell 4–0 to Al-Ain.

Sep 16,2026
Al Nassr Held to 1-1 Draw at Al Khaleej

Al Nassr Held to 1-1 Draw at Al Khaleej

Al Nassr dropped two points in a 1-1 draw away to Al Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League, staying third and two points behind leaders Al Hilal.

Sep 16,2026