Neom stun Al Hilal to end 47-match unbeaten Saudi Pro League run

Al Hilal’s 47-match unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League came to an end on Monday as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Neom, despite fielding a high-profile attack featuring three forwards who arrived from the English Premier League this season.

Neom secured the victory during the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League, inflicting Al Hilal’s first league defeat in 47 consecutive matches. The result also prevented Al Hilal from matching the Saudi record held by Al Ahli, who went 51 league games without defeat between 2014 and 2016.

Kalidou Koulibaly put the ball into his own net in the 15th minute to give Neom the lead. Amadou Kone then doubled the visitors’ advantage shortly before half-time, leaving Al Hilal with a difficult task after the interval.

Al Hilal were also forced to make a late change before kick-off when Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou suffered an injury during the warm-up. Mohammed Al-Owais took his place in goal for the match.

The hosts began the game with Crysencio Summerville, Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Martinelli in attack. All three had joined Al Hilal from the English Premier League this season, but the combination could not produce a goal against Neom.

The match also marked the first start for Martinelli since completing his move to Al Hilal from Arsenal. Despite the presence of the Brazil forward alongside Summerville and Watkins, Al Hilal failed to find the net.

The defeat leaves Al Hilal on 15 points at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. Their lead is now three points over both Al Nassr and Al Qadsiah, although each of those teams has played one match fewer.

Neom moved on to 12 points after their victory and climbed to fourth place in the standings.

The result ended a lengthy unbeaten sequence that had placed Al Hilal within sight of the Saudi league record. Their failure to equal Al Ahli’s 51-match run means that record, established across the 2014-2016 period, remains intact.