Al-Hilal 1-1 Al-Riyadh: Hosts miss out on top spot after stalemate

Al-Hilal missed the chance to go top of the Saudi Pro League after coming from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Al-Riyadh.

The sides played out a dramatic encounter at Kingdom Arena on Friday, but neither team were able to find a late winner.

Despite a bright start by Al-Hilal, it was the visitors who looked to have struck first. Mohamed Konate peeled off the back of his defender to thump in Sekou Lega’s whipped cross, but a VAR check showed he had just set off too early.

The hosts dominated the ball but created few clear-cut chances with it. Marcos Leonardo went closest, only to drag his effort wide of the far post from a tight angle on the left.

Konate haunted Al-Hilal again just before the break, racing in behind to slot past Yassine Bounou one-on-one. This time, the offside flag went up, though the goal was given following a VAR review.

Just before the hour-mark, Al-Hilal benefitted from another tight offside call after Lega drilled a low shot under Bounou into the bottom-right corner, but VAR once again showed he had strayed beyond the hosts’ defence.

Moments later, Salem Al Dawsari equalised. None of the Al-Riyadh players spotted his run down the left, and he kept his composure to bend a lovely shot around Milan Borjan and into the far post.

However, there was still time for more drama. Abdulelah Al Khaibari was penalised for a handball in the box, which incensed the visitors, and following a lengthy check, including a look at the monitor by the referee, the decision was overturned as the captain had not touched the ball.

Final whistle. #HILRIY 1-1 pic.twitter.com/SubIHFtdJb

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) February 14, 2025

Data Debrief: So close yet so far

With Al-Ittihad not playing until Saturday, this was Al-Hilal’s chance to add some pressure on the league leaders.

They rode their luck at times – the two disallowed Al-Riyadh goals were ruled out by a matter of inches – but overall, they will feel they deserved the win.

They had 18 shots in the game to Al-Riyadh’s six, generating 1.88 expected goals (xG), and having 36 touches in the opposition box. By contrast, Sabri Lamouchi’s side touched the ball just eight times in Al-Hilal’s area.