Al-Hilal, freshly crowned Saudi Arabian champions, narrowly avoided their first league defeat of the season with a dramatic last-minute equalizer against arch-rivals Al-Nassr. The Riyadh derby, part of the 32nd day of the Saudi Pro League, ended in a 1-1 draw, with Yassine Bounou playing a pivotal role in preserving Al-Hilal’s unbeaten streak.
The match began with a lightning strike from Al-Nassr. Otavio needed just 23 seconds to break the deadlock, delivering a stunning shot from the center to put his team ahead.
However, Al-Hilal’s resilience was epitomized by their goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, whose stellar performance kept them in contention.
Bounou, the Moroccan international and World Cup semi-finalist, was nothing short of a wall in front of the goal.
In the first half, he denied Sadio Mané twice, despite one of those attempts being flagged for offside. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a constant threat, also found Bounou impenetrable, with the goalkeeper making crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
The second half saw Bounou’s heroics reach another level. He made three remarkable saves, particularly frustrating Ronaldo, who was unable to convert multiple opportunities.
These critical interventions by Bounou ensured that Al-Hilal remained within striking distance as the match progressed.
The climax came deep into stoppage time. Al-Hilal, still trailing 1-0, benefited from a VAR review which awarded them a penalty.
Aleksandar Mitrovic stepped up to the spot and coolly converted, bringing the score level in the 100th minute.
This late goal not only salvaged a point for Al-Hilal but also extended their unbeaten run in the league.
For Al-Nassr, who have already secured second place in the standings, the result was a bitter pill to swallow.
Leading for almost the entire match, they will regret their missed chances and Bounou’s impenetrable goalkeeping.
The two fierce rivals are set to clash again on May 31 in the Copa del Rey final, promising another thrilling encounter.
As for Al-Hilal, their unbeaten streak remains intact, thanks to the indomitable Yassine Bounou and a resilient team effort.
Yassine Bounou est entrain de sauver Al Hilal !
pic.twitter.com/0J7FWPvMvP— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) May 17, 2024
