Al-Hilal Crushes Al-Taawoun, While Al-Nassr Stumbles

Al-Hilal thrashed hosts Al-Taawoun 6-0 in a clean sweep yesterday, in the seventh round of the Saudi Pro League, while defending champions Al-Nassr fell into a draw against Al-Gharafa 1-1. In the first match, Brazilian newcomer Gabriel Martinelli (25), from English club Arsenal, established himself as the star of the encounter by scoring a hat-trick (18th, 43rd, and 50th minutes). English striker Ollie Watkins scored two goals (9th and 53rd), and Sultan Mandash added a sixth goal to cap the scoring spree (75th minute). Al-Hilal moved up to 18 points, maintaining their lead at the top of the table by one point over their closest rival, Al-Ittihad. Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun remained stuck on three points in 17th place, second from bottom, without securing a single victory so far this season. In the second match, Al-Nassr squandered two valuable points in the title race, drawing 1-1 with hosts Al-Gharafa. Al-Gharafa took the lead through Spanish midfielder Omar Mascarell in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, before Al-Nassr equalized via Abdullah Al-Hamdani (72nd minute). With this result, Al-Nassr moved up to 16 points in third place, while Al-Gharafa climbed to five points in 12th place. In another match, a goalless draw settled the contest between Al-Shabab and Al-Fayha. Al-Fayha moved up to six points in 11th place, while Al-Shabab accumulated four points in 14th place.