Watkins scores first goal for Al-Hilal against Al-Ahli
English footballer Ollie Watkins scored his debut goal for Al-Hilal after joining from Aston Villa. The forward found the net in the 86th minute against Al-Ahli Saudi, heading in a cross from Sultan Mandash. This was reported by The National.
Al-Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi started the match with Watkins on the bench. Before the forward came on, his team were already 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Crysencio Summerville. Al-Ahli Saudi were reduced to 10 men late in the first half after Demiral was sent off.
Al-Hilal reinforcements
After four rounds, Al-Hilal have 12 points and are ahead of Al-Nassr on goal difference. Inzaghi's team have scored 15 goals in four matches. Summerville and Watkins have already played and scored for the club this season.
The publication also notes that Gabriel Martinelli's €70 million move to Al-Hilal is expected to be confirmed in the coming days. At the same time, the footballer may not receive clearance in time to play in Friday's match against Al-Shabab. After the game, Inzaghi praised the team's technical level and said its level would improve noticeably once the newcomers develop a better understanding with their teammates.
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Ronaldo's record
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 104th Saudi Pro League goal in Al-Nassr's match against Al-Taawoun. The goal made the Portuguese player Al-Nassr's top scorer in the competition, as he surpassed Mohammed Al-Sahlawi.
Three days earlier, Ronaldo reacted emotionally to being substituted in the match against Al-Ettifaq: he left the pitch early in the second half while his team were trailing 0-2. Without him, Al-Nassr won 3-2. After the victory over Al-Taawoun, the team had 12 points but dropped to second place following Al-Hilal's success.
Situation at Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli Saudi are in seventh place and trail the leaders by six points after losing their last two matches. The club's striker Ivan Toney has four goals this season and has scored 59 goals in 66 matches since joining from Brentford in 2024. The team are preparing for a busy September schedule, including a FIFA Intercontinental Cup match against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns on September 19 in Pretoria.
