Saudi club Al‑Hilal, led by former coach Simone Inzaghi, regained the top of the Saudi Pro League with a 3‑2 win against Al‑Ittihad. The match, played in the 8th round of the championship, saw Al-Hilal consolidate first position after eight games, with a score of 21 points, over the 19 of Qadsiah, Nassr and Ittihad.
The match started with an early lead for Al-Hilal: Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 11th minute, but Al-Ittihad immediately recovered in the 22nd minute with a goal from En-Nesyri, leveling the match. The second half was decided by Watkins' player, who put Al-Hilal in the lead in the 30th minute, with a 2-1. The match remained close until the final quarter, when midfielder Summerville, once a troublemaker in the past for Roma, scored a goal in the 64th minute for Al‑Hilal, putting the team ahead.
Bergwijn's goal, which could have canceled out the result, was denied by the penalty, leaving Al‑Hilal top with a decisive victory. The result allowed the club to maintain its leadership in the table, with a distance of two points compared to second place, Qadsiah. Al-Ittihad, however, remains in 17th place with 17 points, while Neom, Ettifaq and Hazm finished the day with draws, 1-1 respectively.
Among the other matches of the day, Ettifaq drew with Khaleej, while Neom drew with Hazm. The overall ranking sees Al-Hilal in the lead, followed by Qadsiah and Nassr, with Al-Ittihad and Neom in intermediate positions.
With this victory, Al‑Hilal strengthens its leading position and prepares for the next match, while Al‑Ittihad will have to try to recover points in the next matches so as not to miss the chance to move up in the table. The Saudi club will continue to focus on Inzaghi's strategy to maintain competitiveness in the Saudi Pro League.