RIYADH — Al-Hilal secured their second consecutive and fifth overall Saudi Super Cup title with a stunning 4-1 victory against their arch-rivals, Al-Nassr, in a thrilling final.
Al-Hilal won the title for the second time in a row and the fifth time in their history and remains the most successful team in the championship, three titles ahead of Al-Nassr.
The new Saudi Pro League season will begin on Thursday, when Al Nassr hosts Al Raed.
Despite an early setback, where Al-Nassr took the lead, Al-Hilal made a remarkable comeback, turning the tables on their opponents with a dominant performance.
Just before the end of the first half, Al-Nassr’s Abdulrahman Ghareeb led a swift attack, delivering a perfect cross into the box, which Cristiano Ronaldo converted into a goal, giving his team a crucial advantage at the break.
Al Hilal dominated after the interval with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Malcom taking it in turns to score to make the victory secure.
Milinkovic-Savic scored the equaliser in the 55th minute after exchanging passes with Mitrovic, firing a powerful shot into Al Nassr’s net.
Al Hilal took the lead eight minutes later when Mitrovic rose to meet a perfect cross from Ruben Neves and headed the ball in from close range.
The Serbian striker then extended Al Hilal´s lead when he received a pass from Brazilian Malcom in the 69th minute and fired the ball straight into the net.
The Brazilian striker scored Al Hilal´s fourth goal three minutes later when he took advantage of Al Nassr goalkeeper Pinto´s error in controlling the ball after a pass from Aymeric Laporte to fire it home with ease.
Al Hilal’s starting lineup featured the return of Brazilian Malcom and Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Yassine Bounou guarded the goal, supported by a defensive line of Renan Lodi, Hassan Tambakti, Koulibaly, and Saud Abdulhamid.
In midfield, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Michael provided creativity and control, with Mitrović leading the attack.
On the Al Nassr side, Anderson Talisca returned from injury, rejoining the lineup alongside goalkeeper Bento, defenders Sultan Al-Ghanam, Ali Lajami, Aymeric Laporte, and Alex Telles.
The midfield comprised Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Otávio, Ayman Yahya, Talisca, and Sadio Mané, with Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading the attack.
