On Friday, February 28, 2025, Al-Hilal faced off against Al-Ahli in what became one of the most thrilling clashes of the Saudi Pro League season. The match took place at the Kingdom Arena, where both teams were desperate for points—Al-Hilal aiming to close the gap on the league leaders, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli striving to secure their spot among the Asian Champions League qualifiers.
Entering the match, Al-Hilal sat second in the league table with 51 points, backed by the recent momentum from their significant 5-1 victory over Al-Khulood. On the other hand, Al-Ahli was positioned fifth with 44 points, needing to move up the ranks for their own Champions League aspirations.
The anticipation of the match heightened as both teams named formidable starting lineups. Al-Hilal, under the guidance of their experienced coach, featured key players such as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and strong defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Joao Cancelo. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli, led by coach Matthias Jaissle, fielded high-scoring stars including Ivan Toney, known for his potent offense.
Right from the kickoff, the atmosphere was electric. The first half saw both teams exchanging attempts at goal but ended goalless at halftime, with neither side able to capitalize on their opportunities. The tension continued as fans eagerly awaited the second half to see if the deadlock would be broken.
Just two minutes after the break, Al-Ahli's Ivan Toney made his mark by scoring the opening goal, sending the visiting fans wild as they celebrated his strike. This was quickly followed by another from Toney, who doubled the lead at 53 minutes with another well-placed shot, showcasing his remarkable form. Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, the match tilted heavily in favor of Al-Ahli as they enjoyed a 2-0 lead.
Determined to recover, Al-Hilal fought back. After relentless pressure, star midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari pulled one back for his team, giving them hope at the 74-minute mark with his goal.
Things intensified as Al-Hilal managed to find the equalizer through Marcos Leonardo, who converted a penalty kick with just seven minutes left on the clock. The atmosphere was palpable, with fans from both sides on the edge of their seats, hoping to witness their team clinch the victory.
But Al-Ahli wasn't done yet. Just when it seemed like Al-Hilal had turned the tide, Ivan Toney completed his hat-trick with the match-winning goal at 87 minutes, restoring Al-Ahli's lead to 3-2 and ensuring they walked away with all three points from this epic encounter.
Toney's hat-trick not only marked him as the star of the night but also helped Al-Ahli immensely, raising their points tally to 47, placing them equal with Al-Nassr and leaving them only trailing on goal difference.
Post-match statistics highlighted the fierce nature of the contest. The match saw intense competition, with numerous fouls leading to cautions, including yellow cards for key players. Al-Hilal, known for their resilience, had to face defeat on home soil, something they had not encountered lightly, as they were previously unbeaten against Al-Ahli for over eight encounters.
The results from this match now left Al-Hilal with some concerns as they remained stuck within reach of the top teams but were unable to convert chances when it mattered most. Coach remarked post-match about the need for tactical adjustments moving forward, especially noting the importance of consistency and finishing their chances.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli's victory was no small gift for rivals Al-Ittihad, who now had bolstered their lead at the top of the league to 56 points. The result left fans pondering the shifting dynamics within the league as the season approaches its climax.
Next fixtures await both teams as Al-Hilal looks to regroup quickly and make necessary adjustments against forthcoming opponents, aiming to maintain their position near the top.
Reflecting on the impact of the match, the competitive spirit, the performances of players like Toney, and the emotion shown by both sets of supporters this match will long be remembered as a classic encounter within the storied rivalry of Saudi Arabian football.