Al-Qadisiyah 2–2 Al-Hilal: Neves Olimpico and Al-Dawsari’s Late Redemption in Saudi Pro League Thriller – Sportsphere24
Al-Qadisiyah 2–2 Al-Hilal at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, momentum swings, and moments of individual brilliance, cementing this fixture as one of the Saudi Pro League’s must-watch clashes.
From a stunning Rúben Neves olimpico to Salem Al-Dawsari’s late equaliser, this match had it all. Both teams showcased attacking intent, resilience, and tactical nous, with Sportsphere24 highlighting the drama, stakes, and storylines that will dominate headlines in the weeks to come.
First-Half Fireworks: Olimpico and Quick Response
Al-Hilal struck early through Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves, who curled a corner straight into the net in the 8th minute — a spectacular olimpico that stunned the home crowd and instantly put the visitors ahead.
Al-Qadisiyah responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Nahitan Nández converted a precise Musab Al-Juwair assist inside the box to level the score at 1–1. From that moment, the match became a fiercely contested battle, with both sides exchanging attacks, pushing fullbacks forward, and testing each other in transitional play.
The intensity rose further when Jehad Thakri picked up a yellow card, but despite promising moves and dangerous counters, neither team managed to score again before half-time, leaving fans eager for the second-half drama.
Second-Half Drama and Missed Penalty
The second half began with Al-Hilal asserting more pressure, looking to regain the lead. Their big opportunity arrived in the 53rd minute when they were awarded a penalty. Salem Al-Dawsari, the club’s star winger, stepped up but saw his attempt brilliantly saved by Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The moment swung momentum in favour of Al-Qadisiyah, energizing the home side and keeping their hopes alive.
Al-Qadisiyah capitalized on this renewed confidence in the 76th minute, when Julián Quiñones finished a series of quick passes and sustained pressure inside the Al-Hilal box to make it 2–1. For a brief spell, the hosts appeared on course for a statement win against the Saudi giants, thrilling local supporters.
Al-Dawsari’s Late Redemption
With Al-Hilal staring at a potentially damaging defeat, Salem Al-Dawsari delivered redemption in the 90th minute. Collecting the ball on the left flank, he cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that beat the goalkeeper, leveling the score at 2–2.
The equaliser erased the memory of his earlier penalty miss, salvaging a crucial point for the visitors. The final minutes saw Al-Hilal throwing everything forward while Al-Qadisiyah defended stoutly, with counterattacks keeping fans on edge until the final whistle.
Impact on the Saudi Pro League Table
This draw maintains Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Pro League with 46 points, though their lead over second-placed Al-Ahli narrows to just three points. Meanwhile, Al-Qadisiyah consolidate their fourth-place position at 40 points, proving they are serious contenders in the upper half of the table.
Al-Hilal now prepare for a high-stakes showdown against Al-Ahli, following recent dropped points against Al-Riyadh. Al-Qadisiyah, inspired by this performance, will aim to carry momentum from their recent 3–1 victory over Al-Najma, confident they can challenge the league’s top sides.
Sportsphere24 Verdict
From a Sportsphere24 perspective, this Al-Qadisiyah vs Al-Hilal encounter delivered everything a high-level Saudi Pro League thriller should: individual brilliance, tactical intrigue, momentum swings, and emotional highs and lows.
Neves’ olympico, Quiñones’ strike, and Al-Dawsari’s redemption illustrate why this fixture is becoming a marquee clash in the league. Both teams showed quality, determination, and moments of magic — a story Sportsphere24 will continue to follow closely as the Saudi Pro League season intensifies.