Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Al Hilal’s unbeaten run continued, though they dropped points for the first time this Roshn Saudi League season, after a tightly contested 1-1 draw with Al Nassr in the Capital Derby on Friday.
Despite the draw, Al Hilal retains the top spot on the league table, now holding a slim one-point lead over Al Ittihad. Al Nassr remains in third place, trailing the leaders by six points.
The match at Al Awwal Park started with a bang, as Al Nassr took the lead within 55 seconds.
Anderson Talisca slotted home with his right foot after receiving a pinpoint cross from Otavio, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Al Hilal responded swiftly, with Malcom nearly equalizing, but Al Nassr’s goalkeeper Bento denied the Brazilian’s effort with a sharp save.
Al Hilal thought they had equalized seven minutes before halftime when Aleksandar Mitrovic tapped in from close range after Kalidou Koulibaly’s header set him up, but the goal was ruled offside.
Moments later, another potential goal from Talisca was also disallowed due to an offside call, keeping Al Nassr’s narrow lead intact at halftime.
The second half saw continued drama, with Talisca once again finding the net only for it to be disallowed due to a narrow offside.
Al Hilal came closest to scoring in open play when Salem Al Dawsari’s curled shot hit the upright, and Lodi’s follow-up was brilliantly saved by Bento.
The equalizer finally arrived in the 77th minute when Renan Lodi’s cross found Sergej Milinkovic-Savic at the far post, allowing the Serbian midfielder to head the ball in off the post and restore parity.
Despite late attempts, including a missed opportunity by Al Nassr’s Mohammed Marran, the game concluded with a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams unbeaten in the league this season.