RIYADH — Al Hilal strengthened their position at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings with an impressive 4-1 victory over Al Wahda in Matchweek 16. The match, held at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, showcased Al Hilal's dominance despite notable absences in their lineup. Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo opened the scoring in the 7th minute, followed shortly by compatriot Malcom, who struck twice with goals in the 11th and 82nd minutes. Substitute Abdullah Al Hamdan added a fourth for Al Hilal in stoppage time, sealing the emphatic win. Al Wahda's lone goal came from Australian player Craig Goodwin in the 89th minute. The victory brings Al Hilal's points tally to 43, securing their grip on the top of the league table, three points clear of second-placed Al Ittihad. Al Ittihad faces a challenging match against Al Shabab in the same round. Meanwhile, Al Wahda continues to struggle, with their points tally frozen at 12. They remain in 15th place, just one position above the relegation zone, having failed to secure a win in their last few outings. Despite missing Serbian star Sergej Milinković-Savić due to last-minute discomfort and the ongoing absence of striker Aleksandar Mitrović due to injury, Al Hilal showcased their depth. Under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the team needed just five minutes to score twice and set the tone for a commanding performance. Marcos Leonardo proved to be an excellent stand-in for Mitrović, while Malcom continued to impress with his clinical finishing.
