Al Hilal Beats Al Nassr 2-0 in Riyadh Derby Match, Diminishing Al Nassr’s Chance to Win the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League Table

In a Riyadh derby match, Al Hilal dominated Al Nassr with a 2-0 victory, crushing their bid to win the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League title. The defeat is Al Nassr’s second consecutive match without a win, leaving them three points behind leaders Al Ittihad with only six games left. Al Ittihad also has a game in hand, which could widen the gap further.

The match was decided by two penalty goals by Odion Ighalo, the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 18 goals. The English Premier League referee Michael Oliver officiated the match, brought from overseas to officiate in the Saudi league.

Al Hilal had no realistic hope of winning the title, back in fourth place, but they took the lead in the first half after Oliver spotted a handball in the box. In the second half, Al Nassr tried to make a comeback, but another penalty awarded to Al Hilal, again converted by Ighalo, dashed their hopes.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty attempt was overturned by a VAR check, and his late goal was ruled offside, making it a frustrating evening for Al Nassr.

Goals

HILAL — Odion Ighalo (penalty) — 42nd min.
HILAL — Odion Ighalo (penalty) — 62nd min.

Lineups

Al Hilal (4-3-3): Al-Mayouf (GK) — Al Burayk (Al-Shahrani 76′), Jang, Jahfali, Abdulhamid — Carrillo (N. Aldawsari 86′), Cuellar, Al-Faraj (Kanno 86′) — Marega (S. Aldawsari 86′), Ighalo, Michael.

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p class=””>Al Nassr (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Al-Ghanam, Alamri (Lajami 46′), A. Gonzalez, Konan — Luiz Gustavo (Alkhaibari 90′), Abdulmajeed (Alhassan 71′) — Yahya (Masharipov 46′), Talisca, Ghareeb (Maran 86′) — Ronaldo