Al-Fayha
Al-Hilal’s Pro League Statement Leaves Al-Fayha Reeling
Al-Hilal Saudi FC delivered a chilling warning to their Pro League rivals with a 3-0 demolition of Al-Fayha in their second match of the season — a performance that blended surgical precision with raw dominance under the Riyadh floodlights.
Al-Fayha’s Resistance Broken by Serbian Steel
The first half-hour was a study in containment as Al-Fayha’s back four threw bodies in the way of everything, Fashion Sakala earning a yellow card for his desperate block on Crysencio Summerville. But on 31 minutes, Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic shattered the resistance, latching onto a loose ball to rifle home from 18 yards — his first Pro League goal since arriving from Lazio.
Al-Hilal Turn the Screw After Half-Time
Whatever Carille Fabio said to his Al-Fayha players at half-time evaporated within seconds of the restart. Kalidou Koulibaly’s towering header from a corner found Sultan Mandash unmarked at the far post, the Saudi international nodding home to make it 2-0 before Al-Fayha had touched the ball. The visitors’ 61% possession and 19 shots inside the box told the story of relentless pressure.
Al Dawsari Rubs Salt in Wounds
Al-Fayha’s misery was compounded when Summerville missed an 81st-minute penalty, but Nawaf Al Dawsari had the final say — the substitute dancing through exhausted defenders to slot home in the 88th minute. The stats sheet made grim reading for the hosts: just 3 shots on target against Al-Hilal’s 11, with xG values of 0.30 versus 3.47 painting the true picture of dominance.
What This Means for Both Sides
For Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal, this was a statement win that keeps pace with early Pro League leaders. With Benzema quiet but Milinkovic-Savic and Mandash stepping up, their squad depth looks terrifying. Al-Fayha must regroup quickly — their next opponents won’t be as forgiving as a Hilal side that could’ve scored six.
Key Moments
31′ âš½ Al-Hilal Saudi FC — S. Milinkovic-Savic
46′ âš½ Al-Hilal Saudi FC — S. Mandash (assist: K. Koulibaly)
88′ âš½ Al-Hilal Saudi FC — N. Al Dawsari🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.
