DAMMAM — Al Khaleej delivered a shocking 3-2 victory over league leaders Al Hilal, handing them their first domestic defeat in 551 days. The upset, part of Round 11 of the Saudi Pro League, ended Al Hilal's remarkable 46-match unbeaten run in the league, a streak that included a world-record 34 consecutive wins across all competitions. This historic triumph was masterminded by Georgios Donis, former Al Hilal coach, who led an Al Khaleej side that had only managed one point from 14 previous encounters against the defending champions. Al Khaleej's club-record fourth consecutive win lifts them to sixth place in the league standings with 19 points, ahead of Al Ahli and just three points behind Al Nassr, Al Shabab, and upcoming opponents Al Qadsiah. In front of 17,150 fans at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, Al Hilal appeared on track for another routine victory. Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error after a precise pass from Sergej Milinković-Savić. Aleksandar Mitrović extended the lead in the 37th minute with a powerful header from a Salem Al-Dawsari corner, marking his 12th goal of the season and reinforcing his position as the league's top scorer. However, the turning point came just before halftime when Kalidou Koulibaly fouled Pedro Rebocho in the penalty area. Konstantinos Fortounis' spot-kick was saved by Yassine Bono, but Abdullah Al Salem pounced on the rebound to give Al Khaleej a glimmer of hope. The yellow and green side picked up where they left off after the break, with Al Salem striking again in the 47th minute. Receiving a well-placed pass from Khaled Narey, the forward coolly finished to level the score at 2-2. This marked Al Salem's third consecutive brace and his seventh goal of the season, cementing his status as the highest-scoring Saudi player in the competition and drawing him level with Cristiano Ronaldo. The comeback was sealed in the 85th minute when Narey delivered another pinpoint assist, setting up veteran Fabio Martins for a simple tap-in. Martins' goal ignited jubilation among the home crowd, leaving Al Hilal players and staff visibly stunned. Al Hilal's first league defeat since May 2023 leaves their tally at 28 points, potentially jeopardizing their top spot. Rivals Al Ittihad could overtake them if they secure a win against Al Fateh on Sunday. Meanwhile, Al Khaleej's victory not only marks a historic moment but also continues their impressive rise. The team's recent form highlights their growing competitiveness, with crucial clashes against top contenders on the horizon. This match will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2023-24 Roshn Saudi League season.
