Al Hilal 3–1 Al Nassr: Blow-by-Blow Account of a Dramatic Riyadh Derby Comeback
Al Hilal produced a commanding second-half turnaround to defeat fierce rivals Al Nassr 3–1 in a high-intensity Riyadh derby, overturning a halftime deficit to underline their authority in the Saudi Pro League title race.
First Half: Ronaldo Strikes as Al Nassr Take Control
The derby began at a frenetic pace, with both sides pressing aggressively and the midfield battle setting the tone. Al Hilal enjoyed early possession, but Al Nassr carried the greater threat on the counter, repeatedly looking to exploit space behind the full-backs.
That approach paid off in the 42nd minute. A swift Al Nassr move found Cristiano Ronaldo inside the penalty area, and the forward made no mistake, finishing clinically to put Al Nassr 1–0 ahead. The goal capped a disciplined first-half display from the visitors, who went into the break with momentum and control.
Second Half: Momentum Swings Decisively
Al Hilal emerged after halftime with renewed intensity, pushing higher up the pitch and forcing Al Nassr into deeper defensive positions. The pressure told in the 57th minute when Al Hilal were awarded a penalty.
Salem Al-Dawsari stepped up and converted confidently, bringing the score level at 1–1 and igniting the home crowd.
Moments later, the match turned decisively. Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi was shown a red card, leaving his side reduced to 10 men. The dismissal completely altered the balance of the contest, with Al Hilal now dominating possession and territory.
Late Drama: Al Hilal Make the Advantage Count
Despite Al Nassr’s attempts to regroup, the numerical disadvantage proved telling. Al Hilal continued to press and finally broke through in the 81st minute when Mohammed Kanno surged forward and finished decisively to give the hosts a 2–1 lead.
As Al Nassr pushed forward in desperation during stoppage time, Al Hilal were awarded another penalty. Ruben Neves calmly converted deep into added time, sealing a 3–1 victory and capping a ruthless second-half performance.
What the Result Means
The comeback victory reinforces Al Hilal’s dominance at the top of the table and sends a powerful message to title rivals. For Al Nassr, the defeat will be viewed as a missed opportunity—despite Ronaldo’s opener—after a second-half collapse defined by loss of discipline and defensive vulnerability.
In a derby that swung dramatically after the interval, Al Hilal’s composure, depth, and tactical control proved decisive on one of Saudi football’s biggest stages.
