Late Penalty Seals Tepid Win for Al Hilal Over Al Akhdoud in the King’s Cup
28 October 2025
Match Overview
Al Hilal defeated Al Akhdoud 1-0 on Tuesday night in the King’s Cup Round of 16, securing a spot in the quarterfinals with a late, decisive moment.
The match took place at the Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran, with both teams trading early pressure before a breakthrough just before the break.
The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time of the first half when Marcos Leonardo converted a penalty awarded after a foul in the box, giving the visitors the lead that would hold to the final whistle.
The win keeps Al Hilal marching toward a potential record in the King’s Cup as they aim for a sixth title, while Al Akhdoud’ s hopes for an upset were dashed by a composed defensive display from the visitors.
Lineup Tweaks and Key Decisions
The Italian coach Simone Inzaghi made several changes to the starting XI for the clash, balancing freshness with experience.
Starting lineup included goalkeeper Yassine Bono, a back line featuring Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Al-Bulayhi, plus midfielders Hamad Al-Yami, Mohammed Keno and Nasser Al-Dosari, with Metab Al-Harbi supporting the attack alongside Kai César and Abdullah Hamdan.
On the bench, a mix of options provided depth as Inzaghi looked to navigate the round of 16 without overextending his key players.
Inzaghi’s approach set the tone for a tight-shooting half, as Al Akhdoud pressed but couldn’t consistently penetrate the Hilal defense or test Bono enough to change the dynamic.
Key Moments and Conclusion
Al Akhdoud initiated several forays in the early stages, but Bono’s reflexes and the central pairing’s organization kept the score at bay.
Then, just before halftime, Leonardo’s moment from the spot changed the course of the game, gifting Hilal the advantage they would defend in the second half.
After the break, Al Hilal controlled possession but faced moments of resistance from the home side, as chances remained sparse and the tempo dipped, culminating in a tepid but effective defensive performance by the visitors.
As the clock wound down, Hilal preserved their lead, sealing a 1-0 victory and a place in the King’s Cup quarterfinals. The draw for the subsequent rounds was set to take place on the following Wednesday, with a slate of intriguing ties on the horizon.
Historical context: Al Hilal are chasing a historic sixth King’s Cup, while Al Akhdoud aimed to continue their cup run, contrasting the experienced giants with a hungry underdog.
