Al-Hilal defeats Al-Taawoun, while Al-Khaleej halts Al-Nassr

Al Hilal defeated host Al-Taawoun 6-0 in a clean sweep during the seventh round of the Saudi Pro League, while defending champions Al Nassr fell into a draw against Al Ahli, ending 1-1.

In the first match, new Brazilian arrival Gabriel Martinelli, 25, from Arsenal, established himself as the star of the encounter by scoring a hat-trick in the 18th, 43rd, and 50th minutes. English striker Ollie Watkins netted two goals in the 9th and 53rd minutes, while Sultan Mandash added a sixth goal to cap the rout in the 75th minute.

With the victory, Al Hilal moved up to 18 points, maintaining their lead at the top of the table by one point over direct rival Al Ittihad, and two points over third-placed Al Qadsiah.

Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun remained stuck on three points in 17th place, second from bottom, having yet to secure a win this season.

In the second match, Al Nassr squandered two valuable points in the title race after drawing 1-1 with host Al Ahli. Al Ahli took the lead through Spanish midfielder Omar Mascarill in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, before Al Nassr equalized through Abdullah Al-Hamdani in the 72nd minute.

As a result, Al Nassr’s tally rose to 16 points, placing them third, while Al Ahli moved to five points in 12th place.

In another match, a goalless draw decided the contest between Al Shabab and Al Fayha.

Al Fayha’s points total increased to six, moving them to 11th place, while Al Shabab’s tally rose to four points, placing them 14th.