Al Hilal defeat 10-man Al Nassr in Capital Derby to extend lead at top to seven | OneFootball

Al Hilal moved seven points clear at the top of the Roshn Saudi League with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory in the Capital Derby against 10-man Al Nassr on Monday night.

The 2023-24 champions, who last week replaced their Riyadh rivals at the summit, rebounded from Cristiano Ronaldo’s 42nd-minute opener to triumph thanks to second-half goals from Salem Al Dawsari, Mohammed Kanno and Ruben Neves.

Al Nassr had goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi sent off on the hour following a flailing arm that appeared to catch Neves in the face. At the time, Al Hilal had just equalised for 1-1.

The win represented Simone Inzaghi’s side’s 11th in the league in a row, while Al Nassr have now lost their past three RSL games having opened the campaign with 10 straight victories.

It marked a tough return, also, to Kingdom Arena for Jorge Jesus, Al Hilal’s title-winning manager from two seasons ago who this summer took charge of city foes Al Nassr.

It was Jesus’ men who opened the scoring right before half-time at a packed stadium when - who else but? - Ronaldo met Kingsley Coman’s mis-controlled take to half volley into the roof of the net via the palm of Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al Yami.

The Al Nassr captain raced away in celebration in front of the Al Hilal fans, his 15th goal of this RSL season extending the two-time golden boot winner’s lead at the top of the 2025-26 scoring charts to two.

However, just before the hour, the match turned completely. Returning Al Nassr defender Mohamed Simakan felled Malcom in the penalty area, leaving Al Hilal captain Salem Al Dawsari to convert coolly from the spot.

As the hosts raced to collect the ball from the net, Al Aqidi tangled with Neves, who fell to the floor. After consulting VAR, the referee sent off the Al Nassr goalkeeper.

Al Hilal had to wait some time for the breakthrough - they did bring on Sunday signing Pablo Mari for his debut - but, finally, it arrived nine minutes from time. Salem funnelled a cleared corner to Neves, who crossed deep for substitute Kanno to flick past stand-in Mubarak Al Buaninain in the visitors’ goal.

Knowing time was running out for his side, Jesus withdrew Ronaldo and replaced him with Brazilian winger Wesley.

Yet hopes for a comeback were soon thwarted. In the final minute of normal time, Abdullah Al Khaibari inexcusably hauled down Salem in the Al Nassr area, and Neves copied his captain by stroking home the resultant penalty.

Al Hilal, four points back from Al Nassr after Matchweek 9, were now seven clear at the summit.