Al Hilal Regain Form as Title Race Heats Up in Saudi

In a dominant display on Tuesday, Al Hilal secured a 5-1 victory over Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League.

The match, held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, saw Al Hilal's offensive prowess on full display.

Match Report: Al Hilal vs. Al Kholood

Al Hilal wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Brazilian forward Malcom opening the scoring in the 3rd minute. Just a minute later, Saudi winger Salem Al Dawsari doubled the lead, making it 2-0 by the 4th minute. Malcom continued his impressive performance, netting his second goal in the 20th minute. Fellow Brazilian Marcos Leonardo added to the tally in the 28th minute, bringing the score to 4-0 before halftime.

In the second half, Al Dawsari secured his brace with a goal in the 50th minute, extending the lead to 5-0. Al Kholood managed to pull one back in the 65th minute through Atiq Al Safari, but it served only as a consolation in an otherwise one-sided affair.

This victory reinforces Al Hilal's position as a formidable contender in the league, showcasing their attacking depth and strategic prowess under the guidance of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.

Other Notable Matches

• Al Nassr 2-0 Al Wehda: Al Nassr overcame pre-match challenges, including a delayed kickoff due to traffic issues, to secure a 2-0 win over Al Wehda. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 48th minute and later won a penalty, which he unselfishly allowed teammate Sadio Mané to convert in stoppage time. This victory keeps Al Nassr in the top three of the league standings.

• Al Raed 0-2 Al Shabab: Al Shabab secured a 2-0 away victory against Al Raed, with goals from midfielders Fahad Al Muwallad and Ever Banega. This win boosts Al Shabab's position in the mid-table, providing momentum for the remainder of the season.

Saudi Pro League Standings as of February 26, 2025

1. Al Ittihad: 55 points

2. Al Hilal: 51 points

3. Al Nassr: 47 points

4. Al Qadisiyah: 47 points

5. Al Ahli SC: 38 points

Al Ittihad maintains a four-point lead at the top, with Al Hilal and Al Nassr closely trailing. The competition remains fierce as teams vie for the coveted league title in the remaining fixtures.

Photo courtesy: Al Hilal official social media accounts.