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Al-Hilal dropped valuable points in the Saudi Pro League after a 1-1 draw with Al-Taawoun, missing the chance to move top. The result keeps Al-Hilal behind leaders Al-Ahli, while Al-Taawoun stay in the hunt for continental places in fifth position.
Simone Inzaghi’s team knew before kick-off that three points would temporarily lift Al-Hilal above Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr. That scenario depended on Al-Nassr’s later meeting with Al-Najma on Wednesday, but the draw now means an Al-Nassr victory would push Al-Hilal three points off first place.
The match turned around two key penalty incidents just before half-time. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic almost struck earlier for Al-Hilal, hitting the left post from a 22nd-minute free-kick. The visitors finally moved ahead on 41 minutes through a Ruben Neves penalty after Mohammed Mahzari brought down Theo Hernandez inside the area.
Al-Taawoun responded during first-half stoppage time as momentum swung again. Milinkovic-Savic was penalised for handball, giving Roger Martinez the chance to level from the spot. Martinez stayed calm and placed the ball into the bottom-left corner from 12 yards, leaving the contest finely balanced at the interval.
Al-Hilal controlled possession for most of the second period and pushed Al-Taawoun deep. The visiting attack created pressure but lacked a decisive finish against a well-organised defence. The best late chance actually fell to Al-Taawoun, when Muteb Al Mufarrij sent a close-range header off target.
Al-Hilal vs Al-Taawoun: statistical picture and recent head-to-head record
Recent meetings had strongly favoured Al-Hilal, who won the previous five league games against Al-Taawoun by an aggregate score of 13-0. This time, the hosts resisted better, despite facing sustained pressure. Al-Hilal produced 20 shots to Al-Taawoun’s six and edged the expected goals figures by 1.87 to 1.44.
The key match statistics for Al-Hilal vs Al-Taawoun underline the visitors’ territorial advantage but also Al-Taawoun’s resilience in defence.
| Statistic | Al-Hilal | Al-Taawoun |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Shots | 20 | 6 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.87 | 1.44 |
Al-Hilal vs Al-Taawoun: penalty trend and Martinez’s scoring form
This fixture continued a wider league pattern involving penalties. It became the eighth Saudi Pro League match this season in which both teams converted from the spot. It was the first such game to involve Al-Hilal, and only the second to feature Al-Taawoun.
Martinez’s successful penalty also extended an impressive scoring run in the competition. The Al-Taawoun forward now has 10 Saudi Pro League goals in 2026. Only Ivan Toney, with 17 goals, and Julian Quinones, on 15 goals, have scored more in the league during the same period.
The draw alters the title picture without deciding anything at the top. Al-Hilal remain one point behind Al-Ahli and could slip three points back if Al-Nassr beat Al-Najma on Wednesday. Al-Taawoun stay fifth, encouraged by halting a difficult recent run against Al-Hilal.
Story first published: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 3:26 [IST]
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