Saudi Pro League Round 7: Ronaldo’s Late Penalty, Dawsari’s Return, and Inzaghi’s Fiery Mood

Round 7 Highlights

Stadiums across Saudi Arabia brimmed with emotions as Round 7 offered a mosaic of feelings—joy, heartbreak, gratitude, and blistering frustration all in one week of action.

In the following lines, we recap the standout moments that defined the round and kept fans glued to the screen.

Return of Salem Al-Dawsari

Salem Al-Dawsari, captain of Al Hilal, returned to action after a four-match absence in the top flight. He lined up against Al Shabab at the Kingdom Arena, with the captaincy and his signature energy back in the lineup.

Al Hilal’s results in his absence included a 5-0 win over Al Ettifaq and a 2-0 victory over Al Ittihad in the Roshen League, plus the 3-1 result over Al Shabab in the Elite AFC Champions League and a 1-0 win in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. Dawsari’s return came amid a tough spell of scheduling that left him a bit short of match sharpness, yet the crowd roared as he touched the ball again.

Renard’s Attendance

French coach Hervé Renard, who guides the Saudi national team, watched the match from the stands at the Kingdom Arena, clearly delighted to see his talisman back in action. His presence underlined the importance of the domestic league’s star power as the team gears up for two friendly fixtures ahead of the Arab Cup 2025.

Renard has stressed that the team must use these warmups to build cohesion and rhythm for the upcoming tests against Ivory Coast and Algeria later this month.

Leonardo’s Goal and the Celebration

The only goal in the clash came from Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo in the 34th minute, after a sequence that threaded through midfield and found him in front of goal. Leonardo’s finish was clinical, and his celebration—a familiar, emphatic salute—was well-received by the traveling supporters and home fans alike.

Leonardo continues to be a bright note in a season that’s seen him adapt quickly to the league’s pace and physicality, marking his sixth league strike of the campaign.

Inzaghi’s Frustration

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, watching from the touchline, wore a look of intense focus and occasional frowns as his team pressed and pressed without breaking through. His body language suggested dissatisfaction with a few hesitant entries and incomplete combinations, even as his side held a clean sheet.

Inzaghi defended his players in the post-match press conference, arguing that they delivered a solid performance despite not finding a second goal to kill the game.

Koulibaly Red Card

The night’s flashpoint arrived with a red card for Kalidou Koulibali in the 78th minute. A late foray into the box during a counter left him off balance, and a clumsy collision with the goalkeeper earned a second yellow that turned the last minutes into a tense siege for Al Hilal’s defense.

Confirmations from the Video Assistant Referee turned a potential booking into a red, making Koulibali’s fourth red card for the club and his second straight red in league play.

Special Handshake

Before the Riyadh derby shelling began, coach Simone Inzaghi and Al Shabab’s Emanuel Alguacil exchanged a calm, cordial handshake and a quick embrace—a rare moment of mutual respect that contrasted with the heat of the game that would follow.

Post-match, the coaches reaffirmed their professional rapport as they stepped away with a sense of sportsmanship amid the rivalry’s tension.

Riyal’s Seventh Win for Al Nassr

Al Nassr extended their winning run with a 2-1 victory over Al Fayha, sealing a seventh consecutive league triumph. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive second on a stoppage-time penalty following a late‑parity scare, as the Portuguese star celebrated with his signature blend of grit and flair.

The result came after a cup exit to Al Ittihad in the King’s Cup, highlighting the roller-coaster week for the club and its fans.

Brozovic Returns, Felix Subdued

In the other big games, Marcelo Brozovic returned to the middle of the park for Al Nassr after an injury layoff. He didn’t hit his best form immediately and was hooked late, a reminder that coming back from injuries can be a stuttering process.

Joao Felix, meanwhile, showed flashes of his talent but failed to influence the game in the way fans hoped, leaving supporters hoping for a sharper display in the next fixture.

Ronaldo’s Late Drama and Ardha Celebration

The night’s marquee moment came when Ronaldo converted the stoppage-time penalty, prompting a flurry of celebrations that culminated with the classic Ardha dance in front of the fans—an image that perfectly captured the narrative arc of the week: pain, perseverance, and a flourish of national pride.

Ronaldo’s late drama delivered the points and sent a message that, even in a league still finding its rhythm, superstar moments can emerge when you least expect them.

As a result, the league continues to entertain, polarize, and persuade casual fans to tune in for the next round—because in Saudi football, it’s never just 90 minutes; it’s a rollercoaster with a few extra spins.

Sniper punchline 1: If accuracy were a weapon, I’d be Ronaldo—always aiming for the net, occasionally celebrating with a dance that makes the chair umpire regret sitting down.

Sniper punchline 2: Coaching a team is like sniping a moving target—predict the run, pick the pass, and hope the players don’t decide to improvise a victory dance in the 95th minute.