Al Qadisiyah And Al Hilal Thrill Fans With Dramatic Draw

The Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam was the scene of a Saudi Pro League classic on January 29, 2026, as Al-Qadisiyah and league leaders Al-Hilal battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw. With the league table tightening and both clubs in strong form, this Matchday 19 encounter delivered drama, skill, and a share of the spoils after a flurry of goals and missed chances.

Al-Qadisiyah entered the contest sitting fourth in the table, boasting 39 points from 17 matches—thanks to an impressive run of seven consecutive wins and an eight-match unbeaten streak. Their latest triumph, a 3-1 victory over Al-Najma, had fans buzzing with hope. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal arrived as the division’s pace-setters, unbeaten all season with 45 points (14 wins, three draws) and a five-point cushion over second-placed Al Nassr. Their 21-game winning streak across all competitions had just been snapped by a 1-1 draw with Al-Riyadh, adding a touch of urgency to this fixture.

The home side, coached by Nacho Fernandez, lined up with Koen Casteels in goal, a defensive trio of Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Jehad Thakri, and Gaston Alvarez, and a midfield anchored by Nahitan Nandez and Julian Weigl. Christopher Baah and Mateo Retegui joined red-hot striker Julian Quiñones—who had scored in seven straight matches and racked up 16 goals in 14 league appearances—at the sharp end. Al-Qadisiyah’s squad had no injury concerns, allowing a full-strength selection.

Al-Hilal, under the guidance of their experienced manager, fielded Yassine Bounou between the posts, with Hamad Al Yami, Pablo Mari, Hassan Al Tambakti, and Theo Hernandez forming the back four. The midfield boasted stars like Mohamed Kanno, Ruben Neves (one booking away from suspension), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and captain Salem Al-Dawsari. Brazilian attacker Malcom, with four goals and four assists this season, and Darwin Nunez—who had six goals and four assists in league play—led the line. Like their hosts, the visitors had their full squad available.

The match kicked off under the Dammam floodlights, and it didn’t take long for the action to ignite. In just the 8th minute, Ruben Neves produced a moment of magic, scoring directly from a corner kick. The Portuguese midfielder’s Olimpico effort curled over Casteels and nestled into the far corner, giving Al-Hilal a 1-0 lead. The away fans erupted, sensing another routine victory for the league leaders.

But Al-Qadisiyah were in no mood to roll over. Just two minutes later, Musab Al Juwayr sent a hopeful ball forward from near the halfway line, catching Al-Hilal’s defense off guard. Nahitan Nandez timed his run perfectly, broke the offside trap, and coolly slotted past Bounou to level the match at 1-1. The home fans roared their approval, and suddenly the contest was wide open.

The remainder of the first half saw both sides probing for an advantage, with chances falling at either end. The halftime whistle blew with the score locked at 1-1, setting the stage for a dramatic second act.

The second half began with intensity, and in the 53rd minute, Al-Hilal were handed a golden opportunity to retake the lead. A foul by Jehad Thakri in the box resulted in a penalty. Up stepped Salem Al-Dawsari, the Blue Waves’ captain, but his tame effort was saved by Casteels, who guessed correctly and kept his side in the contest. The miss seemed to galvanize Al-Qadisiyah, who pressed forward with renewed purpose.

As the clock ticked into the 76th minute, the hosts found their breakthrough. Another corner from Al Juwayr was whipped into the heart of the box, and Julian Quiñones rose highest to head past Bounou. The Mexican forward’s remarkable scoring run continued, and Al-Qadisiyah found themselves 2-1 up with less than 15 minutes to play. Could they hold on for a famous win?

Al-Hilal, stung by the deficit, piled on the pressure. Their efforts finally paid off in the dying moments. In the 90th minute, a free-kick from the right was only partially cleared by the Al-Qadisiyah defense. The ball fell invitingly to Al-Dawsari at the edge of the box, and the captain made amends for his earlier miss by volleying home through a crowd of players. The ball soared into the top corner, sending the away supporters into raptures and securing a dramatic equalizer.

With little time left, neither side could fashion a winner. The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw—an outcome that reflected the balance of play and the attacking intent shown by both teams. For Al-Qadisiyah, the point extended their unbeaten run to nine matches and reinforced their credentials as one of the league’s most improved sides. For Al-Hilal, the result preserved their unbeaten league record but meant their lead at the top was trimmed, leaving the title race tantalizingly poised.

The match was broadcast live on FanCode in India, DAZN UK in the United Kingdom, fubo TV and FOX Deportes in the United States, and Star Times App and Sporty TV in Nigeria, ensuring fans around the globe could witness the drama unfold. Those facing geo-restrictions were advised to use VPN services to access their preferred streams.

Looking at the head-to-head record, Al-Hilal have historically dominated this fixture, with 22 wins to Al-Qadisiyah’s three in 30 previous meetings, and five draws. But with the last two encounters both ending all square, it’s clear that Al-Qadisiyah are no longer an easy out for the Saudi giants.

As the dust settles on this pulsating affair, both teams will take positives into their next fixtures. Al-Qadisiyah’s resilience and attacking flair, embodied by the relentless Quiñones, have made them genuine contenders for a top-four finish. Al-Hilal, while frustrated not to claim all three points, remain unbeaten and firmly in control of their own destiny at the summit of the Saudi Pro League.

With the league heating up and every point crucial, this 2-2 draw in Dammam will be remembered as one of the season’s standout matches—a night of spectacular goals, missed chances, and late drama that left fans wanting more. The title race, and the battle for the AFC Champions League spots, is very much alive.