On May 5, 2026, at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, Al-Hilal faced Al-Khaleej in a crucial Saudi Pro League match. With the title race heating up, every point mattered. The stakes were high as Al-Hilal aimed to close the gap to league leaders Al-Nassr.
The match kicked off with an early shock. In just the 11th minute, Joshua King found the back of the net for Al-Khaleej, sending their fans into a frenzy. Al-Hilal struggled to respond initially, but their persistence paid off shortly after the half-hour mark when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic equalized, leveling the score at 1-1.
As the match progressed into the second half, both teams battled fiercely. The tension was palpable; players from both sides pushed for dominance on the pitch. Just when it seemed like the game might end in a draw, Sultan Mandash emerged as the hero for Al-Hilal. In the 79th minute, he scored a stunning goal that sealed a 2-1 victory.
This win was significant for several reasons. First, it allowed Al-Hilal to remain undefeated this season—an impressive feat in a competitive league like the Saudi Pro League. They now stood just two points behind leaders Al-Nassr, intensifying the title race as they prepared for their next match against them on May 12.
Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej’s struggles continued. This defeat marked yet another instance where they lost points from a winning position—17 points lost this season alone, more than any other team in the league. Historically speaking, Al-Khaleej has only managed to defeat Al-Hilal once in history, and their last victory over them came during the 2024/25 season.
Match statistics:
- Al-Hilal: Played 30 matches, won 22 and drawn 8
- Al-Khaleej: Played 30 matches, won 10 and lost 13
- Most common result between these teams: 0-3 (four times)
The victory not only kept Al-Hilal’s title hopes alive but also showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. As they head into a critical match against their rivals, every player knows what’s at stake.
