Núñez’s Quiet Fire: Can the Uruguayan Strike a Spark in the Saudi Clasico?
22 October 2025
Nunez's Clasico Scoring Record
Darwin Núñez’s first big test in the Saudi Clasico comes as Al Hilal host Al Ittihad at the Al-Inma Stadium, in round six of the Saudi Pro League. The Uruguayan forward has the tools, but his goal tally has yet to meet the high expectations of the club’s supporters.
While he possesses the qualities of a complete striker, his scoring record in top-flight matches has often fallen short of fan hopes. The transfer to Al Hilal over the summer sparked excitement, yet questions linger about whether he can translate his talent into a sustained goal spree in a new league and culture.
The move from Liverpool to Al Hilal last season sparked debate among fans, who recalled the frequent chances Núñez has squandered and wondered if a change of scenery might unlock his best form.
The Uruguayan’s journey is a footballer’s montage: from Penarol youth to Benfica where a hat-trick against Belenses marked one of his sudden bursts, then to Liverpool where he made an immediate impact with goals in big games. His Clasico record across clubs tells a story of potential sometimes meeting the moment, and other times waiting for the next big chance.
Nunez Explodes
Recent showings suggest Núñez is finding his touch. In a high-profile win against Al Ettifaq, he scored twice and assisted another in a five-goal triumph, signaling a possible turning point for his form and confidence ahead of the derby against Al Ittihad.
His performances have been tracked by analysts on sites like SofaScore, noting his ability to influence play and create chances, even when the finishing touch hasn’t been flawless in every appearance.
In a broader look, Núñez’s career in the Clasico milieu has included notable Portuguese and English league clashes. While at Benfica he produced a memorable hat-trick against Belenses, and at Liverpool he struck in big moments, including a famous 7-0 win over Manchester United and a fruitful spell in big matches, punctuated by a few tough nights in knockout stages.
His non-appearance in a few matches this season due to injury has been a talking point, but the latest build-up suggests he is back to full sharpness. The most recent pre-clasico outing was a friendly against Al Sadd in Riyadh, a tune-up that ended with a win for the blue-and-black but without Núñez adding to the scoresheet—a reminder that rhythm is as important as raw talent.
Injury Absence
Despite a bright spell, Núñez has missed three competitive games this season due to injury concerns, including fixtures against Al Khudood and in the AFC Champions League group stage, as well as a domestic cup tie. The absence has given his teammates a chance to step up, while Núñez works to reestablish his attacking rhythm ahead of the big derby.
The latest build-up saw Al Hilal polish off a competitive friendly against Al Sadd in Riyadh, a competitive warm-up that provided confidence without delivering a definitive verdict on Núñez’s form. The next chapter, of course, will be the Saudi Clasico—a match that could finally unlock the narrative many have been waiting for.
Note: If you’re counting, yes, there are more untested shots than a kiosk hall of fame. But hey, even a sniper misses sometimes—the trick is to reset and aim again.
