Al Hilal Beat Al Ahli 3-0 as Watkins Scores on Debut

Al Hilal continued their flawless start to the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season with a commanding 3–0 victory over Al Ahli at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in early September 2026, moving the club to the top of the league table.

The match also marked the Saudi Pro League debut of new signing Ollie Watkins, who joined from Aston Villa. The 30-year-old forward came on as a second-half substitute and capped the win with a header in the 86th minute for his side's third goal.

Sergej Milinković-Savić and Crysencio Summerville netted Al Hilal's other two goals, sealing a comfortable result at the club's home stadium. The win made it three victories from three matches, with 12 goals scored at this early stage of the campaign.

A big-money arrival

Watkins joined Al Hilal on a three-year contract in a transfer reported at around £50–51 million, structured as roughly €58 million plus €2 million in add-ons. Using indicative mid-2026 exchange rates of about 4.7 SAR 0 SAR that fee corresponds to an estimated 235–240 million SAR — a figure based on contemporaneous currency rates rather than an officially quoted SAR transfer fee.

For fans across Riyadh and beyond, the result underlines Al Hilal's continued ambition and the growing profile of the Saudi Pro League, which keeps attracting established international talent. With a perfect record and a new attacking option already delivering on debut, the club has set an early tone for the season ahead.

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