Al-Hilal Advances to Saudi Super Cup Final After Eliminating Al-Ahly

Al-Hilal advanced to the final of the Saudi Super Cup football competition after defeating Al-Ahly 4-1 in a penalty shootout (regular time ended 1-1) in a match held at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

Al-Ahly seemed poised to secure their spot in the final after taking the lead with a goal by their Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino in the 66th minute. However, Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic rescued Al-Hilal with a dramatic equalizer, heading the ball into the net in the first minute of stoppage time.

The match proceeded to penalties, where Al-Hilal emerged victorious after Al-Ahly missed their second and third penalty kicks. Spanish midfielder Gabri Vega’s shot was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, and Roger Ibanez missed the target entirely, shooting over the crossbar.

Al-Hilal’s coach Jorge Jesus made a notable decision by excluding defender Saud Abdel Hamid from the starting lineup, keeping him on the bench, and instead positioning Hamad Al-Yami as the right-back. This move was reportedly due to Abdel Hamid’s lack of commitment during training at the Austria camp, fueled by his desire to leave the team. Reports suggest that Abdel Hamid has received offers from European clubs, although his contract with Al-Hilal runs until the end of the next season.

On the Al-Ahly side, Gabri Vega made his return to the pitch after a lengthy 169-day absence due to an injury sustained during the second leg of the Saudi League match against Al-Taei last season.

The match began with few clear chances, as both teams struggled to create significant threats. Al-Hilal’s Brazilian full-back Renan Lodi sent a shot just wide of the post in the 17th minute, while Al-Ahly’s Ali Majrashi cleared the ball before it could reach Salem Al-Dosari in front of the goal in the 23rd minute.

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made a crucial save off Hassan Timbukti’s header in the 33rd minute, and Merih Demiral’s header missed the target in the 40th minute. Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic closed out the first half with a powerful shot that was blocked by Al-Ahly’s defense in the 44th minute.

Al-Hilal began the second half with renewed energy, as Savic’s header narrowly missed the post in the 50th minute. Bounou then saved a shot by Abdelkarim Darcy in the 59th minute. Al-Ahly took the lead in the 66th minute when Riyad Mahrez delivered a cross that found Firmino unmarked, who then struck it past the Moroccan goalkeeper.

As the match was nearing its conclusion, with Al-Ahly seemingly heading for victory, Mitrovic equalized with a header from Al-Dosari’s cross in the first minute of stoppage time, sending the game to penalties. Al-Hilal ultimately triumphed in the shootout.

Al-Hilal will face the winner of the second semi-final between Al-Nasr and Al-Taawoun in the final match next Saturday. The team, known as Al-Zaeem, aims to claim the title for the second consecutive year, a feat they have never achieved before. Last season, they defeated Al-Ittihad 4-1, while Al-Ahly was unable to replicate their success from 2016, when they beat Al-Hilal on penalties to win their only title in this competition.