On May 3, 2026, at Ar-Rass Stadium, Al-Hilal faced off against Al-Hazem in a highly anticipated match that had implications for the Saudi Pro League title race. With their recent form, expectations were high for both teams, particularly for Al-Hilal as they aimed to close the gap on league leaders Al-Nassr.
Al-Hilal’s decisive moment came early in the match when Karim Benzema scored the opening goal just nine minutes in. This initial strike set the tone for a game that would see Al-Hilal dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.
Key statistics from the match:
- Final score: Al-Hilal 3 – 0 Al-Hazem
- Benzema’s opening goal increased his tally to 17 goals for the current Pro League season, with seven of those being opening goals.
- Al-Hilal’s expected goals (xG) were 3.24, while Al-Hazem managed only 1.11.
- Marcos Leonardo added a second goal for Al-Hilal in the 82nd minute.
- A penalty by Ruben Neves in stoppage time confirmed the final scoreline of 3-0.
This victory extended Al-Hilal’s unbeaten run against Al-Hazem to nine matches, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in the league. The win also tightened the title race, reducing Al-Nassr’s lead to five points, which could have significant implications as the season progresses.
The performance of Benzema and his ability to score early goals has been pivotal for Al-Hilal this season. Analysts suggest that his contributions not only boost team morale but also place additional pressure on their rivals, particularly on teams like Al-Nassr who are currently leading the table.
