Al-Hilal kept the pressure on Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad after Monday’s thumping 4-0 victory over Al-Orubah.
Kaio Cesar came off the bench to score twice late on at the Kingdom Arena, first scoring from the penalty spot in the 90th minute and then adding a second just two minutes later.
Aleksandar Mitrovic had earlier opened the scoring with 28 minutes on the clock, assisted by captain Salem Al Dawsari, who added Al-Hilal’s second just past the hour.
The crushing win moved Al-Hilal back within six points of leaders Al-Ittihad, who are in control of the title race with just three games to play.
4-0 victory sealed with a clean sheet #HILORO pic.twitter.com/yVzRH9F8Nt
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) May 12, 2025
Al-Nassr also ed a dominant win to keep five points behind Al-Hilal after thrashing 10-man Al-Okhdood 9-0 later on Monday.
Goals from Aiman Yahya, Jhon Duran, Marcelo Brozovic and Sadio Mane had the visitors cruising in the first half, only for matters to worsen for Al-Okhdood after the break.
Goalkeeper Paulo Vitor was sent off for a last-man foul on Duran, who subsequently netted his second strike in the 52nd minute in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Not to be overshadowed by his team-mate, Mane then struck seven minutes later before adding another two finishes himself for a remarkable four-goal haul.
Mohammed Marran sealed a remarkable rout by winning and converting his own penalty in stoppage time.
Data Debrief: Goals galore as Al-Dawsari matches best scoring season
Al-Dawsari scored his first hat-trick in the competition against Al-Raed in the last round, and with another goal here, moved to 14 for the season, matching his highest tally in a single campaign (also 14 last season).
Mohammed Al-Shalhoub also became the second Saudi coach to win his first two matches with Al-Hilal in the Pro League after Sami Al-Jaber in 2013.
Having watched on as Al-Hilal ran riot, Al-Nassr would not be outdone, accumulating 6.1 expected goals in a one-sided rout.
They have now won all four matches against Al-Okhdood in the Pro League by an aggregate score of 18-3.
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