Al-Hilal secured an exciting 2-0 victory over their rivals Al-Ahli in a match played as part of the Saudi Professional League.
Al-Hilal faced Al-Ahli Jeddah on Tuesday evening in the third round of the Saudi League at the "Kingdom Arena" in Riyadh.
Al-Hilal stuns Al-Ahli with two unanswered goals
Al-Hilal's lineup included: Yassine Bounou, Theo Hernandez, Koulibaly, Al-Lajami, Mahzari, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Summerfield, Sultan Mandash, and Abdulqader Miti.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli's lineup featured: Edouard Mendy, Mohammed Baker, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Zakaria Hawsawi, Valentin Atangana, Ziad Al-Juhani, Eduard Spertsyan, Francisco Trincao, Ivan Toney, and Winderson Galeno.
Al-Hilal shocks Al-Ahli with a first-half brace
Serbian star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored Al-Hilal's first goal in the 10th minute following a distinguished attack from the left flank; the ball reached Milinkovic, who penetrated the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of Mendy's net.
In the 13th minute, a precise cross from an Al-Hilal corner kick reached the penalty area, where the team's striker rose to head the ball powerfully, but it struck the post and was denied entry into the net.
In the 21st minute, a dangerous cross from the right flank by Al-Ahli Jeddah reached Ivan Toney inside the penalty area, who attempted a spectacular bicycle kick, but the ball narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Al-Hilal scored their second goal against hosts Al-Ahli in the 23rd minute after a brilliant pass reached Summerfield inside the penalty area; he fired a powerful shot that deflected off the foot of the Al-Ahli Jeddah goalkeeper before settling into the net.
By the 40th minute, a dangerous cross from the left flank by Al-Ahli Jeddah reached Ziad Al-Juhani inside the penalty area, who struck a powerful shot toward goal, but it passed just wide of the left post.
Just before the referee blew the whistle to end the first half, he showed a red card to Al-Ahli's Turkish defender Merih Demiral for a violent challenge without touching the ball on an Al-Hilal player.
Al-Hilal seals the match in the second half
In the 52nd minute, a dangerous free-kick cross from Al-Ahli reached English striker Ivan Toney inside the penalty area, who struck it powerfully toward goal, but the post denied him.
In the 57th minute, Al-Hilal defender Koulibaly collided heavily with Al-Ahli midfielder Atangana, causing both players to fall injured; however, only Koulibaly suffered a bleeding head wound.
In the 68th minute, Winderson Galeno of Al-Ahli Jeddah delivered a magnificent shot from inside the penalty area, but Bounou produced a brilliant save to deny Al-Ahli a certain goal.
Al-Hilal's third goal came in the 87th minute after a superb cross from the right flank reached Ollie Watkins inside the penalty area; he rose to head it powerfully past the goalkeeper's right side into the net.
With this result, Al-Hilal raised their tally to 12 points, topping the Saudi League standings solely on goal difference ahead of Al-Nassr, while Al-Ahli remained stuck on 6 points in seventh place.
