Whistle Storm in Dammam: 3 Unawarded Penalties Shake Al Hilal vs Ettifaq
19 October 2025
Controversial decisions and officiating critique
In the Saudi Pro League clash held Saturday at the Ego Stadium in Dammam, Al Hilal delivered a dominant 5-0 victory over Ettifaq, but debate swirled around the officiating. Abdullah Al-Qahtani, a noted match analyst, told television audiences that the referee’s performance deserved a modest 6 out of 10 due to several contentious moments, including three missed penalties and a sending-off that did not materialize.
The defender’s and attacker’s interplay didn’t hide the fact that two early goals by Hilal set the tone, with subsequent calls leaving fans and pundits debating the line between strict enforcement and game management.
Al-Qahtani pointed to a missed penalty for Ettifaq in the 44th minute and argued that a red card should have been shown to an Ettifaq player in the 54th minute for a dangerous challenge. He also noted a later penalty for Hilal in the 46th minute—successfully converted by Ruben Neves—to complete the team’s third goal, validating at least one controversial decision in favor of the hosts.
Additionally, he highlighted that a second penalty claim for Ettifaq in the 45+1st minute remained unawarded and that another disputed call at the 62nd minute could have altered late-game dynamics. The analysis suggested that the referee’s overall adjudication shifted the balance but did not erase Hilal’s clear dominance on the night.
Goals, sequence, and key moments
Hilal opened the scoring through Marcus Leonardo in the 23rd minute and doubled it with a second strike by the same forward in the 39th. A pivotal moment came when Hilal converted a penalty in the 48th minute, delivered by Ruben Neves for the third goal. Leonardo added the fourth in the 55th, before Darwin Nunez wrapped up the scoring in the 74th minute.
The match also carried echoes of past triumphs, with references to prior five-goal performances and the shadow of Jorge Jesus’s tenure, though the team continued to press forward under current leadership. The victory marked another reminder of Hilal’s potency, even amid spirited debates about officiating.
Historically, Hilal’s last clean sheet in a similar run of games dated back to around January 11, 2025, with a sequence of high-scoring affairs continuing through the season. This night’s result extended a trend of offensive power, contrasting with a few defensive lapses in other fixtures this campaign.
A crowded October on the horizon
Following the Ettifaq clash, Hilal faces a packed October schedule. They are set to take on Qatar’s Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League at Kingdom Arena on October 21, with kickoff times aligning to regional time zones. In the Saudi league, expectations mount for a showdown against Al Ittihad on October 24, as the calendar intensifies and every result matters on the path to silverware.
Moreover, the team is also penciled in for cup commitments in late October, with additional fixtures that could shape the race for domestic glory as well as continental progression. Analysts and fans will be watching closely to see how the squad balances league pressure with international obligations.
In head-to-heads over the recent five-match span, Hilal has shown a pattern of dominance against rivals like Al Sadd and Nasaf in related contexts, underscoring a period of strong attacking form and tactical cohesion. The looming derby against Al Shabab later in the month remains a potential highlight with implications for momentum and morale.
Punchlines time: if refereeing were a sport, that whistle would have its own reality show. And if the VAR had a sponsor, it would be called “Delayed Gratification.”
Another one for the record books: the only thing quicker than Hilal’s counter was the referee’s whistle exiting the stadium—turns out it needed a vacation after this game too.
