Al-Hilal Triumphs Over Al-Shabab, Intensifying Pressure on Al-Nassr
In a thrilling match during the seventh week of the Saudi Professional League, Al-Hilal maintained their impressive form, defeating Al-Shabab 1-0 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. This victory not only added to Al-Hilal’s winning streak but also increased the pressure on league leaders Al-Nassr.
Match Highlights
The decisive goal came from Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo in the 36th minute. This win marks Al-Hilal’s fourth consecutive victory and their fifth this season, bringing their points total to 17. They now trail Al-Nassr by a single point, with Al-Nassr scheduled to play Al-Fayha on Saturday. Al-Hilal’s strong performance has secured them the second position in the league standings.
The match saw Al-Hilal dominating the first half, with several attempts to extend their lead. Ruben Neves had a powerful shot that narrowly missed the goal early on. Additionally, Leonardo’s header was saved by Marcelo Grohe, Al-Shabab’s goalkeeper, and Neves had another attempt from a direct free kick. Theo Hernandez also made a strong attempt, but the ball went wide.
The second half saw Al-Hilal continuing their offensive efforts, with attempts from Mutab Al-Harbi. Al-Shabab responded with shots from Abdulaziz Al-Othman and Yannick Carrasco. The game took a turn when Al-Hilal’s Kalidou Koulibaly received a red card in the 78th minute. Despite Al-Shabab’s efforts, including a header from Carlos Junior, Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made crucial saves to secure the victory.
Other Match Results
In other matches, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Hazm played to a 2-2 draw at the EGO Stadium in Dammam. Al-Okhdood secured their first win of the season, defeating Al-Najma 2-1 at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium in Najran.
League Standings
Al-Hilal’s win has significantly impacted the league standings, placing them in a strong position as they continue their pursuit of the top spot. The results of the other matches have also reshaped the league table, setting the stage for more exciting matches in the upcoming weeks.
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