Sofiane Bendebka delivered a stunning performance on Friday night, scoring twice and assisting once, as Al Fateh pushed Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal to the limit in a dramatic 4-3 encounter.
The Algerian midfielder opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a powerful header from the right side of the box, catching the Al Hilal defence off guard.
Just nine minutes later, he doubled his tally in almost identical fashion—this time rising at the far post to nod home from the left, giving Al Fateh a 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 هدف الفتح الاول !
عرضية خياااااالية من الجليدان .. رأسية سفيان بن دبكة pic.twitter.com/RNEAWEfXMa
— نواف التميمي 📊. (@Nawaf_STATS) May 16, 2025
Despite Al Hilal’s shaky start, the reigning champions mounted a swift second-half response.
Brothers Salem and Nasser Al Dawsari brought their side back into the match with goals in the 50th and 60th minutes, drawing the hosts level at 2-2.
But Bendebka, undeterred and still lurking in advanced areas, continued to influence the game.
In the 81st minute, he controlled a long ball on the edge of the box with his chest and calmly laid it off to Moroccan teammate Mourad Batna, who made no mistake, restoring Al Fateh’s lead at 3-2.
The match, however, had more twists in store.
Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic rose to the occasion with two late goals, sealing a dramatic comeback win for Al Hilal.
His efforts ensured the champions maintained their hopes of qualifying for next season’s AFC Champions League, keeping their momentum alive in the final stretch of the campaign.
For Al Fateh, the loss leaves their top-flight status uncertain.
With just a few games remaining, their position in the league is still not secure.
بن دبكة يسجل هدفين بنفس الطريقة 💙🤯
pic.twitter.com/shtBXevdjs— عمرو (@bt3) May 16, 2025
However, one bright spot remains in the form of Bendebka, whose season has been nothing short of exceptional.
Now 32, Bendebka is enjoying a remarkable campaign.
Typically deployed as a defensive midfielder, he has emerged as Al Fateh’s top scorer with 12 goals—just one behind Al Nassr’s Sadio Mané and three off league leader Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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⚽️ أهداف اللقاء : 🔵 الفتح 3-4 الهلال ⚪️
🔵 سفيان بن دبكة ( د 15)
🔵 سفيان بن دبكة ( د 24 )
⚪️ ناصر الدوسري ( د 50 )
⚪️ سالم الدوسري ( د 60 )
🔵 مراد باتنا ( د 82 )
⚪️ الكسندر ميتروفيتش ( د 85 )
⚪️ الكسندر ميتروفيتش ( د 90+2)— كورة اسيا ⚽️ تجديد بي ان bein 🟣 (@ggo_ll) May 16, 2025
His ability to contribute in both defence and attack underlines his value to the side and places him among the league’s most influential performers this season.
In a season defined by unpredictable twists and standout individual moments, Bendebka’s latest display stands as one of the most compelling.
