Al Hilal’s unbeaten run ends as Neom deny record chase

Al Hilal’s pursuit of Al Ahli’s historic Saudi Pro League unbeaten record suffered another setback as Neom secured a 2-0 victory on Monday evening in the sixth round of the Roshn Saudi League.

The defeat ended Al Hilal’s 47-match unbeaten run in the professional league and denied them the chance to move four games away from equalling Al Ahli’s record of 51 consecutive matches without defeat.

Despite losing, Al Hilal remain top of the table with 15 points. Neom moved on to 12 points, joining Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr in second place.

The result was a major blow for Al Hilal, who had entered the match without a defeat in their previous 47 league fixtures. During that sequence, they recorded 35 victories and 12 draws.

It was already the second-longest unbeaten run in the history of the Saudi professional league, behind only Al Ahli’s record. Al Hilal had therefore been given another opportunity to close the gap on a landmark that has stood since the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

Al Ahli remain the record holders after going 51 matches without losing between January 2014 and January 2016. Al Hilal had been four games away from matching that achievement before Neom brought their run to an end.

The loss also prevented Al Hilal from making a second attempt to reach the top of the league’s all-time unbeaten rankings. Their current sequence remains the second-longest recorded by any club in the competition.

Al Hilal’s latest run had already surpassed their previous best, which lasted 46 consecutive matches between May 2023 and November 2024. That earlier sequence included 42 wins and four draws.

The side’s preparations for the match were also affected by an injury to goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was ruled out after suffering a setback during the warm-up. However, the decisive outcome was the end of Al Hilal’s unbeaten league record and their missed opportunity to continue their climb towards Al Ahli’s historic mark.

For Neom, the victory lifted them to 12 points and kept them level with Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr. Al Hilal, meanwhile, remain leaders on 15 points, but their defeat has reduced the margin for error as the season continues.

The result means the record chase must now begin again for Al Hilal. Their 47-game sequence had placed them within sight of Al Ahli’s historic total, but the loss to Neom ensured that the Saudi professional league’s longest unbeaten run remains out of reach for a second time.