Salem Al-Dawsari scores first Al Hilal goal of the season after 197 days

Salem Al-Dawsari returned to the scoresheet for Al Hilal after a 197-day wait, scoring his first goal of the season in Tuesday’s Asian Champions League Elite match against Al Shamal.

The Saudi club were visitors at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor for their third league-stage fixture in the competition.

Al-Dawsari put Al Hilal ahead in the 32nd minute when French full-back Theo Hernandez played a low ball across the face of goal, leaving the captain with a simple finish into an unguarded net.

It was the winger’s first goal for Al Hilal this season and came in his first start of the campaign. He had previously made two brief substitute appearances in the Saudi Pro League, taking his total appearances for the club this season to three.

The goal ended a run of 197 days without scoring for Al Hilal. Al-Dawsari’s previous goal came in a 3-3 draw with Qatari side Al Sadd in the last 16 of the same Asian competition on 13 April. Al Hilal subsequently lost that tie on penalties.

Following that match, he played eight times for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and Asian Champions League Elite without scoring. Six of those appearances came at the end of last season, while two had been made during the current campaign.

Al-Dawsari had been unavailable to Al Hilal since the start of this season after undergoing surgery. The operation followed his involvement with Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

His goal against Al Shamal was also his first appearance in the starting line-up since returning from that absence.

Al Hilal’s listed Saudi Pro League fixture is against Al Fateh on 31 October 2026. The next Asian Champions League Elite fixture shown is Al Istiqlal against Al Shamal on 03 November 2026.