Hilal Clinches Saudi Clasico: Koulibaly’s Influence Underlined as Benzema Red Card Becomes a Fan Rallying Cry

Match Overview

In a high-stakes Saudi Pro League clash, Al Hilal beat Al Ittihad 2-0 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, marking a decisive victory in the sixth round of the season.

Fans on social media celebrated the win for the club, while rival supporters pointed to a controversial officiating moment and the decision to field goalkeeper Hamid Al-Shanqiti as part of the discussed game plan.

Commentary on X featured multiple voices weighing in on Koulibaly’s red-card incident and the surrounding controversy, with some suggesting the call changed the match’s momentum and others defending the officials’ stance.

Key Moments and Standings

Mohamed Doumbia’s cross inadvertently found the back of his own net in the 40th minute, gifting Hilal a 1-0 lead, and Marcus Leonardo sealed the affair in the 57th minute with a composed finish after a somewhat chaotic sequence outside the box.

Hilal’s 2-0 triumph moved them to 14 points, strengthening their third-place position, while Al Ittihad remained at 10 points in seventh after a mixed start to the campaign.

The historical rivalry between the teams remains fiery, with Hilal historically boasting a lead in head-to-head league meetings and total goals scored.

Discussions post-match highlighted the defensive influence of Koulibaly and the tactical decisions that shaped the game, alongside fan chatter about potential penalties and refereeing decisions involving Benzema’s involvement in the derby context.

Overall, the result underscored Hilal’s status as a powerhouse in Saudi football and kept the title race tightly contested as the season progresses.

Punchlines
Punchline 1: If Koulibaly keeps this up, the referee will start bringing popcorn to every red card.
Punchline 2: In football, the game may pause, but the fans’ debates run forever—welcome to the Saudi Clasico rerun on social media.