Martinelli Stuns Al-Hazm in 89th Minute as Al-Hilal Win 1-0

Al-Hilal Edge Al-Hazm 1-0 in Saudi Pro League Thriller

Gabriel Martinelli broke Al-Hazm hearts with an 89th-minute winner as Al-Hilal snatched a 1-0 victory in a tense Saudi Pro League clash, maintaining their perfect home record this season. The Emirates pulsated with relief when the Brazilian winger finally breached Al-Hazm’s stubborn resistance after 21 shots, VAR drama, and 88 minutes of mounting frustration.

Al-Hazm’s Defensive Wall Holds Firm

For 70 minutes, Al-Hazm’s five-man backline stood like Bedouin warriors against the siege. Goalkeeper Jiří Staněk pulled off a stunning double save to deny Ollie Watkins in the first half, while Koulibaly’s towering header rattled the crossbar. The tension boiled over before halftime with yellow cards for Ahmed Al-Nakhli and Ahmed Al-Shamrani as Al-Hilal’s 63% possession translated into 10 corners but no breakthrough.

VAR Denies Al-Hilal Before Martinelli Strikes

The moment everyone thought would never came in the 69th minute – Watkins wheeled away in celebration after slotting home, only for VAR to cruelly rule it out for offside. Al-Hilal’s players sank to their knees, but substitute Theo Hernandez injected fresh urgency down the left. With Al-Hazm tiring, Mohammed Mahzari’s inch-perfect through ball found Martinelli, who took one touch before burying it past Staněk to send the Blue Waves into raptures.

What This Means for Both Sides

For Al-Hilal, this was the kind of gritty win that titles are built on. Simo Inzaghi’s men stay top with 10 wins from 10, their 3.13 xG dominance finally paying off. Al-Hazm will rue their inability to hold on for a point that would have lifted them out of the drop zone. Their 0.52 xG tells the story – only five shots all game, but defender Abdulaziz Al-Harbi was colossal until Martinelli’s killer blow.

Key Moments

89′ ⚽ Al-Hilal Saudi FC — Gabriel Martinelli (assist: Mohammed Mahzari)