Results of round 29: Al-Hilal's resounding victory and Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad stumble
Competition heats up in round 29 of the Saudi Roshan League
The 29th round of the Saudi Professional League witnessed thrilling matches and surprising results that dramatically altered the standings, reflecting the remarkable development of Saudi football. With unprecedented support for the sports sector under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the Saudi League has become a global focal point, as clubs packed with international and local stars compete fiercely for points in the final stages of the competition to secure the title or qualify for continental tournaments.
Al-Hilal's earthquake strikes Al-Khulood's net with a clean six-goal victory
At the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, a modern architectural masterpiece of sports, Al-Hilal achieved a resounding victory over their guests, Al-Kholoud, with a score of 6-0. French striker Karim Benzema led his team to a dazzling display of football, scoring a hat-trick in the 8th, 31st, and 45+5th minutes, in addition to providing an assist. The Blue Wave didn't stop there, as Mutaib Al-Harbi added an early goal in the 7th minute, and international star Salem Al-Dawsari extended the lead with a goal in the 55th minute, before Marcos Leonardo completed the rout in the 76th minute.
With this resounding victory, their 20th of the season, Al-Hilal increased their points tally to 68, solidifying their hold on second place and narrowing the gap with league leaders Al-Nassr to just two points, intensifying the title race. Meanwhile, Al-Kholoud's woes deepened with their 18th defeat, leaving them stuck on 26 points in 14th place, under immense pressure to escape relegation and turn their season around in the upcoming rounds.
Al-Ahli squanders second place with a disappointing draw against Al-Fayha
In another match held at Al Majma'ah Sports City Stadium, Al Ahli squandered a golden opportunity to improve their position in the standings, settling for a 1-1 draw against Al Fayha. Al Ahli started strongly, opening the scoring in the 36th minute through striker Ivan Toni, following a well-organized attack and a decisive pass from Enzo Mbuyo after excellent work by Firas Al-Buraikan. However, Al Ahli's performance dipped in the second half, allowing Al Fayha to get back into the game.
Al-Fayha capitalized on the visitors' lapse in concentration, and thanks to a clever through ball from veteran defender Chris Smalling over the Al-Ahli defense, Jason Remeseiro managed to equalize in the 53rd minute with a well-placed low shot. This result brought Al-Ahli's tally to 66 points in third place after their sixth draw, while Al-Fayha reached 34 points in ninth place, continuing their consistent performances in the middle of the table.
Al-Ittihad suffers a resounding defeat against Neom's ambitions
At Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Al Ittihad suffered a heavy blow, losing 4-3 to visiting Neom in a dramatic and thrilling match that went down to the wire. Neom's goals were scored by Said Benrahma (3rd minute), Luciano Rodriguez (16th minute), Muhannad Al Saad (55th minute), and Alaa Al Hajji in stoppage time (90+1). Al Ittihad's goals came from a brace by Youssef En-Nesyri (38th and 44th minutes) and a goal by Houssem Aouar (49th minute).
This ninth loss for Al-Ittihad leaves them stuck on 45 points in sixth place, further diminishing their hopes of competing for the top spots. Meanwhile, Neom continues to prove its worth as a rising force, securing its eleventh victory and raising its points tally to 39 in eighth place, confirming the success of the club's strategy and its positive impact on the Saudi football landscape.
