Unselfish Brilliance: Darwin Núñez Sparks Al Hilal's 5-0 Thrashing in Saudi Pro League

Star of the Round

The Uruguayan Darwin Núñez, Al Hilal’s striker, earned a fresh accolade in the Saudi Pro League for the selfless display shown in the recent clash with Al Ettifaq. The visitors hammered the hosts 5-0 in a fifth-round fixture in Dammam, and Núñez was at the heart of the performance.

He found the net twice and set up another, helping his side cruise to a commanding victory that underscored his value beyond goals alone. The night cemented Núñez’s status as a driving force in the league and a constant threat to defenses.

Best Assist of the Round

In addition to his scoring, Núñez capped the evening with a moment of pure teamwork. After receiving a cross near the box and looking to add a second, he chose a decisive pass to Brazilian teammate Marcus Leonardo, who finished superbly for the fourth goal of the night.

The official SPL account confirmed Núñez’s win of the award for the fifth round, based on fan voting. Opta’s ratings chimed in as well, giving him a high score that reflected his all-around influence on the match.

A Night for the History Books

That performance also marked a historic personal milestone: Núñez became the first Al Hilal player to score twice in a single game since joining the club last summer from Liverpool. Prior to this match, he had two goals in official competition for Hilal, including a league strike against Qadisiyah and a Champions League group-stage goal against Al-Duhail.

While Núñez didn’t add to his tally in a later league fixture at Riyadh, the night’s narrative emphasized his evolving role. He missed a few games earlier in the season due to injury but returned with a flourish that brought both goals and creativity to the forefront, lifting the team and the crowd alike.

Historically, the night revived memories of Hilal’s five-goal performances under former coach Jorge Jesus and highlighted the depth of attacking options in the squad. It also coincided with the club’s broader run of high-scoring fixtures in the Saudi Pro League.

From a broader perspective, Núñez’s display underscored the league’s rising profile and the impact of international players in a campaign that continues to capture the imagination of fans across Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Five goals in a single night, a showcase of selfless play, and a reminder that football is sometimes at its best when it’s not about the individual’s ego but the team’s glory.

Punchline 1: Darwin’s passes are so precise even the GPS asks for his autographs. Punchline 2: If assists paid salaries, Núñez would already be refinancing the club’s stadium with all those clean bills of help!