Al-Ittihad sack coach Laurent Blanc after 2-0 loss to Al-Nassr

JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad produced a remarkable comeback on Saturday night, fighting back from four goals down with 10 men to draw 4-4 against Al-Khaleej in one of the most dramatic matches of the Saudi Pro League season.

The evening began disastrously for the reigning champions, who conceded twice in the opening 18 minutes.

Matters worsened in the 31st minute when midfielder Fabinho was shown a red card, leaving Sergio Conceicao’s side with 10 men for over an hour.

Al-Khaleej capitalized quickly, netting twice in the 37th and 47th minutes to give the hosts a seemingly unassailable 4-0 lead.

Diaby pulled one back for the champions early in the second half, but it appeared to be little more than a consolation.

Then, in a stunning finale, Diaby scored again in the 86th minute before Al-Ittihad mounted an extraordinary late surge, scoring another two through Mario Mitaj and Faisal Al-Ghamdi in the 96th and 98th minutes to complete a dramatic turnaround and snatch an unlikely draw.