Al Hilal make penalty history again in five-match Saudi league sequence

Al Hilal became the latest side to benefit from three penalties in a single Roshn Saudi League match when they defeated Al Faisaly 4-2 on Friday, but the result was not the first time the Saudi champions have achieved that landmark.

All three spot-kicks were converted as Al Hilal began their campaign with victory at Kingdom Arena in the opening round of the competition. Al Faisaly were the fifth team to concede three penalties to Al Hilal in one league match during the professional era.

The statistic was highlighted by the Saudi television programme Dawrina Ghair, broadcast on Al Saudiya channel. Its review of Al Hilal’s league record showed that the club have been awarded three penalties in the same match on five separate occasions.

Al Faisaly are the most recent opponents to experience that situation, following four previous cases involving Al Hilal.

The sequence began in the 2019-20 season, when Al Hilal were awarded three penalties during a 3-1 victory over Al Raed. The same pattern occurred again the following campaign, as Al Hilal defeated Al Ain 5-0.

Al Batin became the third side involved in the record when Al Hilal won 3-1 in the 2022-23 season. Two seasons later, in 2024-25, Al Riyadh conceded three penalties in another 3-1 Al Hilal victory.

The latest instance came against Al Faisaly at the start of the current season, with Al Hilal converting each of their three opportunities from the spot on the way to a 4-2 win.

The result leaves Al Hilal top of the Roshn Saudi League after the opening round, with three points and a superior goal difference. Al Qadsiah also have three points and sit second.

Al Hilal’s latest victory therefore combined an emphatic opening-day result with another notable entry in the club’s professional-era league record. Their three successful penalties against Al Faisaly extended a run that has now appeared across five different seasons: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2024-25 and the current campaign.

The three-penalty matches have produced different winning margins, but each has ended with Al Hilal taking all three points. The club beat Al Raed 3-1, Al Ain 5-0, Al Batin 3-1 and Al Riyadh 3-1 before overcoming Al Faisaly 4-2.

With Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah level on points at the top of the table after the first round, goal difference currently separates the two sides. Al Hilal’s latest victory has given them the early advantage, while also adding Al Faisaly to the list of clubs involved in this unusual feature of their league history.