logo
Milinković-Savić stunner rescues Al Hilal from late defeat at Al Wehda

Milinković-Savić stunner rescues Al Hilal from late defeat at Al Wehda

Saudi Gazette22-05-2025
Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — A stoppage-time strike from Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić salvaged a 1-1 draw for Al Hilal against Al Wehda on Wednesday, denying the Riyadh giants their first defeat under interim coach Mohammed Al Shalhoub.
With the league title already clinched by Al Ittihad, Al Hilal's focus has shifted to securing a top-two finish and a place in next season's AFC Champions League Elite.
The result takes Hilal to 72 points, maintaining a four-point cushion over third-placed Al Qadsiah heading into the final round.
Al Wehda had taken the lead just six minutes after the restart through Abdulaziz Noor, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to give the Makkah side a surprise advantage.
But just as the home fans were beginning to celebrate, Milinković-Savić produced a thunderous finish in the second minute of added time to level the score and preserve Al Hilal's unbeaten record under their legendary former captain, who stepped in following Jorge Jesus' departure.
Al Wehda, meanwhile, edged slightly further from the relegation zone, now sitting three points above the drop line with one match left to play.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Games 2025 postponed to prioritize athlete readiness for major events
Saudi Games 2025 postponed to prioritize athlete readiness for major events

Saudi Gazette

time5 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Saudi Games 2025 postponed to prioritize athlete readiness for major events

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Supreme Organizing Committee of the Saudi Games has announced that the fourth edition of the event, originally scheduled for 2025, will not take place this year, with new dates to be determined and announced at a later time. In a circular issued to all participating federations and sports clubs, the committee emphasized that the decision was made to ensure an optimal competitive environment for Saudi athletes and to allow national teams to better prepare for a series of major international sporting events in the latter half of 2025. Among the key events cited are Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in November, the World Games in China this August, and the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in October. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a world-class sporting experience and supporting athletes in their preparations for these critical tournaments. The Saudi Games, considered the largest multi-sport national event in the Kingdom, were launched to develop the sports sector and promote grassroots participation.

Al Nassr beat Benfica to €50m João Félix signing after Ronaldo, Jesus intervene
Al Nassr beat Benfica to €50m João Félix signing after Ronaldo, Jesus intervene

Saudi Gazette

time8 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Al Nassr beat Benfica to €50m João Félix signing after Ronaldo, Jesus intervene

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Nassr have completed the signing of Portuguese forward João Félix from Chelsea in a deal worth up to €50 million, ending a nearly finalized move that would have seen the 25-year-old return to his former club, Benfica. The Saudi Pro League side agreed to pay €30 million upfront with an additional €20 million in performance-based add-ons, according to Sky Sports. Félix is expected to undergo a medical in Riyadh on Sunday evening, with personal terms already agreed. Sources close to the negotiations confirmed that Al Nassr's Portuguese contingent — head coach Jorge Jesus and team captain Cristiano Ronaldo — played a decisive role in convincing Félix to choose Saudi Arabia over Lisbon. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo called their intervention 'crucial,' while transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported the player is 'excited' to play alongside Ronaldo and reunite with Jesus.Félix spent the latter half of last season on loan at AC Milan, making 21 appearances and registering three goals and one assist. Though Milan paid €5.5 million for the loan, they opted against a permanent signed Félix on a permanent basis from Atlético Madrid in August 2024 for £44.5 million ($58 million) following a six-month loan spell the previous flashes of quality, he failed to secure a regular starting role at Stamford Bridge, featuring in just three Premier League starts last season. His contract with Chelsea had been due to run until 2030, with an option for an additional Portuguese international was initially expected to be part of Chelsea's squad for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer but was omitted from the final 28-man list, signaling his imminent departure.A crowded attacking unit at Chelsea — featuring summer signings Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, João Pedro, Liam Delap, and Estevão — further limited Félix's role in the Nassr's move underscores their ambitions ahead of the new season, with the club continuing to build around Ronaldo, who joined in late 2022. Félix's arrival is seen as part of a broader strategy to assemble a competitive team capable of challenging for domestic and continental is expected to earn an annual salary of €6 million in Riyadh.

Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk
Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk

Arab News

time2 days ago

  • Arab News

Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk

SINGAPORE: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insisted Saturday that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to either Premier League champions Liverpool or Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Isak has not traveled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour of Asia, apparently because of a minor thigh injury, but Howe said the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key part of his plans. 'Of course, there are always going to be things going on behind the scenes,' Howe told reporters in Singapore, where Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday. 'He is aware he's in the news every day, which I'm sure is not easy for anyone in that situation. 'Conversations between Alex and the club or with me will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a good relationship,' Howe added. Isak, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has been 'magnificent for us for as long as he has been with us,' said Howe. 'And he is very comfortable in the dressing room.' Isak did not travel with the Magpies after the thigh injury kept him out of Newcastle's friendly defeat to Celtic last week. 'He mentioned before the Celtic game that it would be very minimal and nothing too serious,' said Howe. 'But he left training very early and didn't feel right. So, he's now back in Newcastle getting that injury assessed.' Howe remained confident that Isak will be wearing black and white when the new season kicks off next month. 'I said after the game against Celtic that I was confident he would stay. I don't see anything that is going to change that opinion of mine at the moment. 'It's football,' he added. 'And who knows what the future may bring.' The Magpies ended their 70-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and finished in fifth place in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League. 'I think once you've experienced that feeling of winning, you want it again. So, we want to do it again as soon as possible, in all the competitions we are in,' said Howe. 'We set the bar very high, and there's a lot of ambition within the team.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store