Al-Hilal Kicks Off Saudi Pro League Season with Dominant 2-0 Victory Over Al-Riyadh

Al-Hilal commenced their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Al-Riyadh at the Kingdom Arena. After finishing as runners-up in the previous season, the Riyadh giants delivered a dominant performance to kick-start their campaign on a high note under new manager Simone Inzaghi, who made a winning start in his inaugural league match.

The instrumental figure in Al-Hilal's triumph was none other than Salem Al Dawsari, whose creative brilliance led to both goals. Despite an early disallowed goal for Darwin Nunez in the ninth minute due to a foul, Al-Hilal quickly asserted their authority on the game.

The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute when Moteb Al Harbi fired a powerful shot into the near post, expertly assisted by a perfectly weighted reverse pass from Al Dawsari. Al Dawsari himself had an opportunity to double the lead shortly after but couldn't convert. However, he continued to be a menace, combining effectively with Malcom just before halftime, flicking the ball to set up the Brazilian, who then slotted it into the bottom-left corner to give Al-Hilal a comfortable two-goal cushion.

The second half saw Al-Hilal continue to press for a third goal, with Nunez once again going close, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Despite not adding to their tally, their control of the game remained evident.

The victory extended Al-Hilal's impressive record of 13 consecutive opening-day wins in the Pro League. They also maintained an unbeaten streak in August for the last 14 league matches, underscoring their consistent performance at the season's outset. Statistical analysis further highlighted Al-Hilal's dominance, with an expected goals (xG) of 2.0 from 15 shots, significantly outperforming Al-Riyadh's 0.2 xG from just two attempts. Al Dawsari was a clear standout, creating three chances, completing two dribbles, and making 25 passes in the final third, second only to Ruben Neves, showcasing his pivotal role in the team's attacking prowess.