The year 2025 is off to a bad start for Al-Hilal. Opposed to the leader of the Championship, Al-Ittihad, in the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup, the partners of Kalidou Koulibaly, title holders, were eliminated from the competition after a disputed encounter.
Second in the Saudi Pro League behind its evening opponent, Al-Hilal was keen to start the new year on the right foot, with the reception of Al-Ittihad on Tuesday in the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup . Easier said than done, however, against a team that has been working well since the start of the season and is capable of teasing Jorge Jesus’ training.
If they had done the hardest part by overturning the score in extra time, thanks to goals from Salem Al-Dawsari (71st), who responded to Karim Benzema’s opener in the 63rd), and Marcos Leonardo (101st), Kalidou Koulibaly’s teammates let Al-Ittihad return to 2-2ith a double from Benzema (114). Facing a huge Predrag Rajković, Al-Hilal ended up losing their title on penalties.
wiwsport.com
