Al Ahli thrash Riyadh as Al Hilal extend perfect Saudi Pro League run

Al Ahli swept aside Riyadh 5-0 in the Saudi Pro League while Egypt international Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet missed the match with a minor muscle strain.

The victory, secured in the fourth round of the competition, moved Al Ahli to nine points and up to fourth place in the table. Riyadh remain 12th on four points.

Trezeguet was absent after complaining of a minor muscle strain, according to Saudi newspaper Al Yaum.

Al Ahli made an aggressive start and were rewarded with a penalty in the 16th minute. England forward Ivan Toney took responsibility from the spot and converted to put the home side ahead.

Riyadh struggled to contain Al Ahli’s attacking pressure, and the advantage was doubled three minutes before half-time when Armenia international Eduard Spertsyan found the net.

Al Ahli added a third in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, with Trincao scoring to give his side a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.

The hosts continued to control the game after the restart. They were awarded another penalty in the 61st minute, and Toney again made no mistake to claim his second goal of the match and take Al Ahli’s total to four.

Naif Masoud completed the scoring in the 87th minute, sealing Al Ahli’s emphatic win and leaving Riyadh with a heavy defeat.

Al Hilal maintain 100% record

Al Hilal remained at the top of the Saudi Pro League after making it five victories from five matches. Their perfect record gives them 15 points, while Al Shabab are 13th with three points.

The derby also featured the debut of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who recently joined Al Hilal from English club Arsenal.

Al Hilal’s victory extended their unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League to 47 matches. That surpassed their previous record of 46 consecutive matches without defeat, set between May 2023 and November 2024. The sequence included 42 wins and four draws.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring for Al Hilal in the 53rd minute.

With five minutes remaining in normal time, the referee awarded Al Hilal a penalty. Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves converted the spot-kick to score the second goal and secure another three points for the league leaders.

The result ensured Al Hilal retained their place at the summit with a flawless start to the campaign, while Al Shabab’s difficult season continued with a third defeat in five league matches.