Al-Hilal beat Al-Shabab 2-0 to maintain top spot in Saudi Pro League

Al-Hilal secured a 2-0 victory against Al-Shabab on Friday evening in the 5th round of the Saudi Pro League, continuing their strong performances and maintaining their lead in the competition.

Al-Hilal have increased their tally to 15 points at the top of the table, while Al-Shabab remain at 3 points, settling in 13th place after five rounds.

Ollie Watkins threatened the Al-Shabab goal early on, firing a shot from inside the penalty area in the 5th minute, but the goalkeeper saved it following a pass from Sultan Mandash.

Cristian Simerville missed another chance for Al-Hilal in the 10th minute when he met a cross from Sergej Milinković-Savić with a header that went wide of the post.

Al-Shabab attempted to score in the 18th minute through Yacine Adli, who headed the ball from the left side of the penalty area, but Al-Hilal's defense intervened and cleared the danger.

Al-Hilal continued to apply pressure, with Moteb Al-Harbi attempting to score with a left-footed shot from outside the area in the 36th minute, but his effort did not change the outcome of the match.

Al-Hilal continued their dominance after the break, with Rúben Neves attempting a long-range shot in the 46th minute, but it went just over the bar. He renewed his efforts four minutes later.

Al-Hilal took the lead in the 53rd minute through Sergej Milinković-Savić's goal, putting more pressure on Al-Shabab.

Smurfiel tried to double the margin in the 58th minute with a left-footed shot from a tight angle, but it did not find its way to the net, allowing Al-Hilal to maintain their lead with a single goal.

In the 67th minute, Al-Hilal fans witnessed a long-awaited moment as the coaching staff brought on Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli in place of Sultan Mandash, marking his first appearance in the club's colors.

Al-Hilal held off a late push from Al-Shabab, who sought an equaliser, before the blue team was awarded a penalty in the 85th minute.

Rúben Neves took the penalty and the Portuguese player successfully converted it into a second goal, confirming Al-Hilal's dominance and securing three points.

With this victory, Al-Hilal have raised their tally to 15 points, sitting alone at the top of the Saudi Pro League, while Al-Shabab remain in 13th place with 3 points.