Al-Hilal Thrash Al-Taawoun 6-0 to Reclaim Saudi Pro League Top Spot

Al-Hilal delivered a statement performance in the Saudi Pro League, sweeping aside Al-Taawoun 6-0 to move to the top of the standings after seven rounds. The emphatic victory restored confidence for Simone Inzaghi’s side and underlined their attacking strength as they solidified their position in the title race.

The match was effectively settled by Al-Hilal’s ruthless first-half display. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the ninth minute, giving his side an early advantage and setting the tone for what became a one-sided contest. Gabriel Martinelli then doubled the lead in the 18th minute, putting Al-Taawoun under even greater pressure.

Martinelli continued to torment the home defense and completed his hat-trick with further goals in the 43rd and 50th minutes. His three-goal performance was one of the highlights of the evening and represented a major contribution from the Brazilian forward as Al-Hilal transformed their dominance into a commanding advantage.

Watkins was equally influential. After his early opener, the England international found the net again in the second half, adding Al-Hilal’s fifth goal and further extending the gap. His overall contribution went beyond scoring, as he also played an important role in creating opportunities for teammates. Sultan Mandash then completed the rout in the 75th minute, bringing the final score to 6-0.

The result was particularly important for Al-Hilal because it came immediately after a disappointing defeat to Neom. Al-Hilal had suffered a 2-0 home loss in the previous league round, ending their remarkable 47-match unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League. Rather than allowing that setback to derail their campaign, they responded with one of their most convincing performances of the season.

The three points lifted Al-Hilal to 18 points from seven matches, putting them at the summit of the Saudi Pro League table. Al-Ittihad sit second with 17 points, while Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah have 16 points each, meaning the battle at the top remains extremely competitive.

For Al-Taawoun, the result was a painful setback. They remain near the bottom of the table with just three points from seven matches and have yet to record a league victory this season. The six-goal defeat also leaves them with a significantly negative goal difference, increasing the pressure as they attempt to climb away from danger.