The match began with an early goal from Joshua King of Al-Khaleej in the 11th minute. His strike put Al-Khaleej ahead, but Al-Hilal responded quickly. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic equalized shortly after the half-hour mark, bringing the score to 1-1 before halftime.

The second half saw both teams pushing for a win. In a decisive moment, Sultan Mandash scored the match-winning goal for Al-Hilal in the 79th minute. This late goal was crucial for maintaining their momentum in the title race.

With this victory, Al-Hilal moved within two points of league leaders Al-Nassr. They remain undefeated this season, having played 30 matches with 22 wins and 8 draws. In contrast, Al-Khaleej has struggled this season, losing 17 points from winning positions — the highest in the league.

The historical context adds weight to this rivalry; Al-Khaleej has only beaten Al-Hilal once in history. The last victory for Al-Khaleej over Al-Hilal occurred during the 2024/25 season.

Key statistics:

• Al-Hilal: 30 matches played, 22 wins, 8 draws
• Al-Khaleej: 30 matches played, 10 wins, 7 draws, 13 losses
• Points lost by Al-Khaleej from winning positions: 17

Looking ahead, Al-Hilal’s next challenge will be against league leaders Al-Nassr on May 12. This match could prove pivotal as they attempt to secure the title.

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