Al Hilal Survive Late Al Qadsiah Fightback to Move Top of Saudi Pro League

Al Hilal moved to the top of the Saudi Pro League after securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Al Qadsiah in an entertaining Matchweek 11 encounter at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium on Friday night.

The Riyadh side entered the contest knowing that three points would be crucial in the race for the league title, and Simone Inzaghi’s men delivered when it mattered most. Despite allowing Al Qadsiah to equalise in the first half and pulling back another goal late in the game, Al Hilal showed enough composure to protect their advantage and leave Dammam with all three points.

Gabriel Martinelli, Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić were the scorers for Al Hilal, while Julián Quiñones and Mateo Retegui found the net for the home side.

The result moved Al Hilal to 27 points and into first place, while Al Qadsiah were left to reflect on a missed opportunity after failing to protect their position near the summit. The victory also extended Al Hilal’s excellent run of form, with the club continuing to build momentum at an important stage of the campaign.

Martinelli gives Al Hilal early advantage

Al Hilal started the match with attacking intent and found a breakthrough after just 21 minutes.

Ollie Watkins played an important role in the move, racing onto a long ball before sending the ball across the area for Martinelli. The Brazilian winger took the opportunity and saw his effort deflect on its way past Al Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

The goal gave the visitors the perfect start and appeared to put them in control of the contest.

Al Qadsiah, however, refused to allow the early setback to change their approach. The hosts responded with greater attacking pressure and eventually found an equaliser in the 31st minute.

Musab Al-Juwayr delivered a dangerous ball into the area, and Julián Quiñones rose to meet it with a well-placed header that beat Yassine Bounou.

The equaliser restored balance to the contest, with both teams creating opportunities before the interval. Neither side could find another goal before half-time, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.

Al Hilal raise the pressure after the break

The second half became increasingly open as both sides looked for the goal that could swing the match in their favour.

Al Hilal continued to threaten through their attacking players, with Watkins and Crysencio Summerville testing the Al Qadsiah defence. Martinelli was also involved in the visitors’ attacking efforts before being forced off early in the second half.

The Brazilian was replaced in the 49th minute, but his departure did not stop Al Hilal from maintaining their offensive pressure.

Al Qadsiah continued to compete strongly, yet Al Hilal began to find more space as the game progressed. The visitors eventually regained the lead in the 77th minute through Rúben Neves.

Sergej Milinković-Savić created the opening for his midfield partner, and Neves produced a quality finish from outside the box to beat Casteels.

The goal was particularly important because Al Qadsiah had done a good job of frustrating Al Hilal for long periods. Neves’ strike once again put the visitors in front and gave them the platform they needed to chase a third.

Milinković-Savić adds Al Hilal’s third

Al Hilal did not have to wait long to extend their advantage.

Seven minutes after Neves’ goal, Milinković-Savić got himself on the scoresheet. Sultan Mandash supplied the ball, and the Serbian midfielder finished the move to make it 3-1.

The goal appeared to put Al Hilal in a commanding position with only a few minutes remaining.

However, Al Qadsiah produced another late response.

Mateo Retegui pulled one back in the 87th minute after meeting a delivery from Tijjani Reijnders. His header reduced the deficit to 3-2 and immediately changed the mood around the stadium.

With Al Hilal only one goal ahead, the final minutes became tense. Al Qadsiah pushed forward in search of an equaliser, while the visitors concentrated on protecting their advantage.

Despite the pressure, Al Hilal managed to survive the late onslaught. Bounou and the defenders held their ground as the hosts attempted to force an opening, allowing Inzaghi’s team to secure a valuable away victory.

Al Hilal’s attacking numbers tell the story

Although Al Qadsiah enjoyed slightly more possession, with 52 percent compared with Al Hilal’s 48 percent, the visitors were more dangerous in front of goal.

Al Hilal recorded 19 shots during the match, compared with 14 from Al Qadsiah, while nine of their attempts were on target. The home side managed six shots on target.

The statistics showed that Al Hilal created the clearer opportunities despite not dominating possession.

The visitors also registered more attempts inside the penalty area, while Al Qadsiah were forced to rely heavily on their forwards and late pressure to remain in the contest.

That difference in attacking efficiency ultimately proved decisive.

Al Qadsiah demonstrated why they have been competing near the top of the table, but Al Hilal’s ability to take their opportunities separated the two teams.

Man of the Match: Sergej Milinković-Savić

Sergej Milinković-Savić was one of the most influential players on the pitch and deserves recognition as NewsVaultHQ’s Man of the Match.

The Al Hilal midfielder produced an outstanding all-round performance, contributing directly to two of his team’s three goals.

Milinković-Savić provided the assist for Rúben Neves’ 77th-minute goal before turning scorer himself seven minutes later. His movement and ability to operate in dangerous areas created constant problems for the Al Qadsiah midfield.

His influence went beyond his goal contribution. He created five chances for Al Hilal, the most of any player for the visitors, while helping the team maintain its attacking threat throughout the contest.

His second-half contribution was particularly important because Al Hilal needed someone to make the difference after the match remained level for more than 75 minutes.

Milinković-Savić stepped up at exactly the right moment. His assist helped restore Al Hilal’s lead, and his goal gave the visitors the cushion they ultimately needed to withstand Retegui’s late response.

Rúben Neves also deserves significant praise after scoring the crucial second goal, while Martinelli made an impact before his injury forced him off.

What the result means

The victory represents another important step in Al Hilal’s title campaign.

Moving to the top of the Saudi Pro League after defeating one of their closest challengers will provide Inzaghi’s team with confidence, particularly because they had to withstand considerable pressure during the final stages.

For Al Qadsiah, the defeat will be frustrating. They twice managed to respond after falling behind, but they could not find a third equaliser after Retegui’s late goal.

The result also underlines how fine the margins are between the leading teams in the Saudi Pro League. Al Qadsiah showed enough quality to trouble Al Hilal, but the visitors displayed greater efficiency when decisive moments arrived.

Al Hilal will now turn their attention to their next challenge with confidence after another important victory. Their ability to win a difficult away game while under pressure at the top of the table could prove significant as the season develops.

For Al Qadsiah, the focus will be on recovering quickly and maintaining their challenge near the top of the standings.

In the end, Al Hilal had done enough.

Three goals, three points and a place at the summit made it a successful night for Inzaghi’s side, although the narrow scoreline showed just how competitive Al Qadsiah were throughout the encounter.