Win after Win after Win is what is making Al-Hilal’s season a truly special one. The Blue Waves under Simone Inzaghi had recorded 10 wins at a stretch and were the only undefeated team in the Roshn Saudi League, when they hosted arch rivals Al-Nassr at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, last night.
With Al-Nassr suffering a sudden loss of form after registering 10 straight wins of their own, they managed just one point from their last 3 games, thus handing over a 4-point advantage to Al-Hilal at the top of the table. A win for either side was critical in the title race.
READ Al-Nassr Win 10th Game, Create Record With A Ronaldo Brace
Cristiano Ronaldo, leading Al-Nassr, scored his 15th goal of the RSL this season with a superbly controlled volley from a Kingsley Coman set up. The ball came at an awkward height, but Ronaldo, with his sublime finishing skills, buried the ball in the net in the 42nd minute. Al-Nassr were leading at halftime.
The second half, however, was all Blue as Al-Hilal mounted pressure on Al-Nassr. The hosts got a penalty in the 57th minute, which their captain Salem Al-Dawsari converted with ease. In an effort to take the ball after the goal was scored, Alaqidi got into a little brawl, which resulted in a red card for him in the 60th minute. The complexion of the game changed thereafter.
With 10 men, Al-Nassr were troubled by Al-Hilal, with Ruben Neves playing brilliantly to unsettle the Knights of Najd. M Kanno got a lovely cross from Neves in the 81st minute, which he guided perfectly into the goal from the side of his foot in an incredible effort. The Blue Waves were leading as Al-Nassr’s shoulders began to drop big time.
Sensing the kill, Al-Hilal kept the pressure on, which resulted in another penalty in stoppage time. Ruben Neves deservedly took the penalty and scored giving Al-Hilal a 3-1 lead. The hosts held on for the remaining few minutes and eventually clinched victory as the Kingdom Arena turned blue.
It was indeed the most critical 3 points which Al-Hilal managed to acquire in a brilliant rear guard action, dismantling Al-Nassr. With a 7-point lead at the top, Al-Hilal are setting pretty.
Al-Nassr slumped to their third straight defeat in a staggering downturn after a riveting 10-win opening run. If Al-Taawoun win their next game, Al-Nassr will be pushed to 3rd on the RSL table.
What an amazing change of fortunes.
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