Al Hilal defeated Al Ahli 3-0 in a Riyadh derby in the Roshn Saudi League at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on the night of Tuesday, 1 September 2026, keeping their perfect start to the 2026–27 season and holding top spot in the table.
Sergej Milinković‑Savić opened the scoring for Al Hilal, before Crysencio Summerville doubled the lead. The night was completed by new signing Ollie Watkins, who came on as a substitute at half‑time and scored the third goal with a back‑post header in the 86th minute, meeting a cross from Sultan Mandash.
The goal marked a memorable moment for Watkins, 30, who was making his Saudi Pro League debut and scored his first goal for the club. The forward joined Al Hilal from Aston Villa on a three‑year contract shortly before the match, in a deal reported at around £50–51 million — roughly 240–250 million SAR at typical 2026 exchange rates.
The result cements Al Hilal's dominant start to the campaign. The club now has four wins from four league matches, a 100% record and a comfortable position at the top ahead of Al Nassr. Al Ahli, meanwhile, remain in mid‑table with six points from four games, six points adrift of the leaders.
Regarded as both a Riyadh derby and an early title‑race clash, the match drew strong interest from football fans across the capital. For residents and expats in Riyadh, fixtures at Kingdom Arena continue to be among the standout live sporting events of the season, offering a lively atmosphere and top international talent on show at home.
Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.
Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:
- Instagram - @saudiliving
- X - @saudiliving
- Facebook - @saudiliving
- YouTube - @saudiliving
Up Next

PIF Confirms Sports as Priority, Expands Football Bets
Public Investment Fund reaffirms sports as a priority sector, with over USD 15 billion invested in football since 2021 and 346+ active global sponsorships.
Sep 3,2026
Al Hilal Sign England Striker Ollie Watkins
Al Hilal have signed England striker Ollie Watkins on a three-year deal starting the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season.
Sep 3,2026
Young Saudi Fans Watch 10 Hours of Football Weekly
New research shows Saudi fans aged 16-20 consume nearly 10 hours of football content each week across live matches, social media, and video games.
Sep 3,2026
Al-Ahsa Stadium to Host 2026 League Fixtures
Multiple First and Second Division fixtures set for Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa across 2026, per official match calendars.
Sep 2,2026Related Stories
Don't Miss Similar Listings
Be the first to know when new stories on this topic are published.














