It was a clinical performance from the former Manchester United striker who scored with his only shot of the game.
Ighalo scored the opening goal as Al Hilal survived a scare to defeat Al Taee 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
The goal ended a streak of three (3) games without scoring for the 33-year-old former Super Eagles star.
Ighalo, who was substituted in the 90th minute, has scored four (4) goals and assisted in one of every seven (7) games this season for his club.
Defending champions close the gap at the top
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Pro League champions Al Hilal are now five points behind leaders Al Shabab.
Inspired by Ighalo and man of the match Michael Richard, who scored a goal and assisted Ighalo’s first goal, Hilal sealed their first victory in three games.
But the visitors had to dig deep after letting a two-goal lead slip away as their host struggled to equalize after just an hour.
Guy Mbenza and Amir Sayoud scored in the space of seven second-half minutes to level Taee.
However, Ali Al-Boleali made sure Hilal walked away with all three points when he broke the host’s heart with the game-winning goal in death.
