Al-Hilal Regains Saudi League Top Spot

Al-Hilal reclaimed the top spot in the Saudi Professional League after a thrilling 3-2 victory over host Al-Qadsiah at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on the evening of the previous day, during the eleventh matchday. Al-Hilal’s goals were scored by Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli (21st minute), Portuguese Ruben Neves (77th minute), and Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (84th minute). Al-Qadsiah’s goals came from Mexican Julian Quiñones (31st minute) and Italian Matteo Righini (87th minute).

The win lifted Al-Hilal to the summit of the table with 27 points, while Al-Qadsiah dropped from first place to third with 25 points.

In another match, Al-Nassr defeated host Al-Faisaly 3-1. Al-Nassr’s goals were scored by Abdullah Al-Hamdan (4th minute), Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (49th minute), and Brazilian Angelo Gabriel (79th minute). Al-Faisaly’s only goal was scored by Belgian Theo Bongonda (66th minute). Al-Nassr moved up to 25 points.

Al-Ittihad secured a valuable 2-0 victory over Al-Diriyah, thanks to goals from Nigerian George Ilenikhena (30th minute) and Dutch Georginio Wijnaldum, who converted a penalty (77th minute). Al-Ittihad’s tally rose to 23 points, moving them into fourth place, while Al-Diriyah remained on 15 points in eighth place.

Al-Ahli also recorded a convincing 4-1 win over Al-Gharafa. Al-Ahli’s goals were scored by Englishman Ivan Toney (11th minute and 90+6th minute, the latter from a penalty), Ukrainian Artem Bondarenko (57th minute), and Portuguese Francisco Trincao (61st minute). Al-Gharafa’s sole goal was scored by Thamer Al-Khaibari (87th minute). Al-Ahli’s points total increased to 21, lifting them to fifth place, while Al-Gharafa stayed on 12 points in tenth place.