In a crucial encounter in the Saudi Pro League 2024-25, Al Raed and Al Hilal faced off at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on May 7, 2025. The stakes were high for both teams, with Al Raed fighting to avoid relegation while Al Hilal aimed to keep their title hopes alive.
Al Raed entered the match sitting at the bottom of the league table, currently placed 20th among the 20 participating teams. Their situation was dire, as they were set to be relegated to the First Division after their remaining five matches. With only two wins in their last 20 competitive outings, they needed a miracle to escape the relegation zone. The team had suffered a heart-wrenching 4-3 defeat against Al-Taawoun in their previous outing, marking their 20th league loss of the campaign.
On the other hand, Al Hilal, currently in second place, was looking to capitalize on Al Raed's struggles. With 62 points from 29 matches, Al Hilal boasted an impressive record of 19 wins, five draws, and five losses. However, they were still six points behind league leaders Al Ittihad and could not afford to drop more points if they wanted to secure the title. In their last match, Al Hilal had been eliminated from the AFC Champions League after a disappointing 3-1 loss to Al-Ahli Saudi, where Salem Aldawsari was the only scorer for the team. The defeat was compounded by Kalidou Koulibaly receiving a red card in the second half, adding to the team's woes.
As the match kicked off at 9:45 PM IST, the atmosphere was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating what would unfold. Al Hilal had dominated their previous encounters against Al Raed, winning 34 out of 40 matches, with Al Raed managing just one victory and five draws. The last time Al Raed triumphed over Al Hilal was back in 2013, and the hosts were winless in their last 24 encounters with the Blue Waves.
The first half saw Al Hilal asserting their dominance, with Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic opening the scoring in the 32nd minute. Mitrovic calmly finished from close range, sending a clear message to Al Raed that they were in for a tough night. Just before halftime, captain Salem Aldawsari doubled the lead, capitalizing on a rebound from a set piece and driving the ball into the far corner of the net. At halftime, Al Hilal led 2-0, leaving Al Raed with a mountain to climb if they were to salvage anything from the match.
Despite the setback, Al Raed came out for the second half determined to turn the tide. They knew that a defeat would deepen their relegation troubles, and they needed to find a way to score. However, Al Hilal's defense held firm, with goalkeeper Bounou making several crucial saves to keep the clean sheet intact.
As the match progressed, Al Raed struggled to create clear chances against a well-organized Al Hilal side. The visitors continued to press for more goals, looking to assert their title credentials further. Al Hilal had already scored an impressive 79 goals in 29 matches this season, showcasing their offensive prowess. The hosts, in contrast, had conceded 54 goals, one of the highest tallies in the league.
In a valiant but ultimately futile effort, Al Raed pushed forward in search of a goal, but their attempts were thwarted by Al Hilal's resolute defense. The match ended with Al Hilal securing a 2-0 victory, a result that kept their title hopes alive while further entrenching Al Raed's position at the bottom of the table.
Following the match, Al Hilal's coach expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly in bouncing back after their recent AFC Champions League elimination. "We needed this win to stay in the title race, and the players showed great character today," he said. Meanwhile, Al Raed's coach lamented the missed opportunities, stating, "We fought hard, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal if we want to survive this season."
As the league progresses, Al Hilal will look to close the gap on Al Ittihad, who remain six points clear at the top. With only five matches left in the season, every point is crucial, and Al Hilal will hope to build on this victory. For Al Raed, the road ahead looks increasingly difficult, as they must find a way to turn their fortunes around in the remaining fixtures to avoid relegation.
The result leaves Al Raed nine points deep in the relegation zone, and with only five games left, their survival hopes are hanging by a thread. Fans will be watching closely to see if their team can muster the strength to fight back in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, Al Hilal's victory over Al Raed was a significant step in their quest for the Saudi Pro League title, while Al Raed faces an uphill battle to retain their top-flight status. The drama of the Saudi Pro League continues, with every match bringing new twists and turns as the season approaches its climax.
