From the brink to a 4-2 triumph: Al Hilal roar back against Al Najma

Match snapshot

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi of Al Hilal expressed great happiness after his team’s 4-2 victory over Al Najma on Friday night at King Abdullah Sports City, in Week 8 of the 2025-2026 Roshn Saudi Pro League. Lázaro opened the scoring for Al Najma in the 3rd minute, before Salem Al-Dawsari equalized for Al Hilal in the 10th minute. In the 60th minute, Najma briefly took the lead again thanks to an own goal by Robin Neves, but Hilal answered with a three-goal burst by Theo Hernandez, Robin Neves, and Salem Al-Dawsari in the 71st, 78th and 90th minutes.

With this convincing win, Al Hilal moved to 20 points in third place, recording six wins and two draws, while Al Najma stayed bottom with zero points. The match was not easy, as the two sides exchanged momentum and chances throughout the evening.

Reactions, injuries and a look ahead

Inzaghi spoke after the game: “The match was not easy, and we made it difficult for ourselves from the start, especially with the first goal which was something of a gift from us, but I thank the players for their focus and for securing the win.” He added that it was the first match without Kalidou Koulibaly in defense, and although two goals were conceded it was a tough but valuable experience. “Najma is a good team with quality players like Samir Kaitano and Gouad El-Yamiq, and I know them from Serie A, as well as the forward Lazaro.” He also noted plans for a brief camp during the break and stressed ongoing dialogue with the club to identify needs for the upcoming transfer window.

“Proud of my players,” Inzaghi concluded, as the team continued its march.

For Najma, Portuguese coach Mario Silva expressed pride in his players in the press conference: “I’m proud of all my players and thank them. We knew it would be a tough match, and I made some changes after the defenders returned, choosing to play with three at the back.” He added that this was the first time he had a fully healthy squad, and although they led 2-1, two red cards complicated things and made life very hard against a side like Al Hilal. Silva also acknowledged the week’s rumors about his own future, saying he would keep working regardless of speculation and stressing that failure is surrender, while success is fighting to the end, whatever the scoreline.

Hilal’s win extended a remarkable run to ten straight victories in all competitions, with the 4-2 scoreline marking another milestone in a season shaping up as a long run of wins at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraydah. The Saudi press noted the streak’s continuity since September 22, including cup progress announced earlier in the campaign.

Robin Neves explained the curious self-goal moment: “I expected Yassine Bono to handle it, but it bounced off me and into the net. Bono reassured me that we would come back, and we did.” He added that the team’s objective remains to keep winning and climb toward the top of the table, while his nomination for The Best award was treated as a validation of his form and ambitions for the future.

On the injury front, Metab Al-Harbi’s hamstring was the subject of a detailed update: a mild strain could sideline him for 3–5 days, while a confirmed tear might stretch to 10–14 days for a mild case or 4–6 weeks if more severe. He will undergo further testing to determine the exact timeline, with an official club statement expected soon.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal also confirmed the exclusion of Mohammed Al-Qahtani for the fourth successive match, a decision attributed to Inzaghi’s tactical considerations rather than a disciplinary issue. The paper Today noted that Al-Qahtani’s future may hinge on the Italian coach’s plans, leaving the door open for January movements or a longer stay contingent on form and role clarity.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Hilal’s resilience and a reminder that in football, even a good start can be overcome with a burst of late drama. And if you thought the drama ends there, remember: in football, even a goalscoring own goal can be the spark that lights a comeback—kind of like misplacing your keys and discovering your car was already running.

Punchline 1: If Hilal keep this up, their trophy cabinet will need a larger door. Punchline 2: The only thing sharper than Inzaghi’s tactics tonight was the final whistle—proof that defense is just offense with better timing.