Under the bright lights of Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Al Hilal edged past Al Khaleej with a 2-1 victory on May 5, 2026. The win marked a significant moment in the Saudi Pro League as they inch closer to league leaders Al Nassr.
It all started early—just 11 minutes into the match, Joshua King sent a jolt through the stadium, scoring for Al Khaleej. The home crowd erupted, but their joy was short-lived. Al Hilal responded fiercely, and in the 34th minute, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic leveled the score with a well-placed shot that found the back of the net.
The atmosphere shifted after halftime. Both teams battled relentlessly, but it was Al Hilal who seized control. In the 79th minute, Sultan Mandash delivered a decisive blow—his goal secured all three points for his team and sent them into a frenzy.
Match Statistics:
- Al Hilal produced 22 shots with an expected goals value of 1.65.
- Al Khaleej managed only 6 shots and an expected goals value of 0.63.
- This victory marked Al Hilal’s third consecutive win in league play.
As it stands now, Al Hilal trails Al Nassr by just two points in a tightly contested title race. Their recent form has been impressive—scoring 13 goals over their last five matches—showing that they are not just contenders but serious challengers for the title.
However, it wasn’t without drama. Karim Benzema had a goal disallowed during stoppage time for offside—a moment that left fans holding their breath and wondering about what could have been.
Meanwhile, Al Khaleej finds themselves struggling this season, currently sitting at 11th place after losing a staggering 17 points from winning positions. Their inability to close out games has cost them dearly, and they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their season.
This match wasn’t just about points; it was a statement from Al Hilal—a reminder that they are very much alive in the title race as they push towards what could be a thrilling finish to the season.


