As the new Saudi football season kicks off with renewed excitement, reigning domestic champions Al Hilal and their closest rivals from the previous season, Al Nassr, are set to face off once again in the Saudi Super Cup final in Abha.
The two dominant teams of last season, who have clashed six times over the past year, advanced to the final after winning their respective semifinals.
Al Hilal is aiming for a record-extending fifth Saudi Super Cup title, while Al Nassr seeks its third triumph.
The final marks a return to the traditional season opener for the Saudi Super Cup, offering both teams a chance to claim early silverware and set a psychological edge.
This is particularly significant as both Al Hilal and Al Nassr are strong contenders for the Saudi Pro League title.
Al Nassr, led by Luis Castro, is under pressure to secure a win, having gone without a victory in their last five encounters with Al Hilal.
Last season, Al Hilal won the league derby in December, drew the return fixture, and edged out Al Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup and King’s Cup final, the latter being a dramatic penalty shootout victory.
The most recent clash, a King’s Cup final in May, was a thrilling affair where Al Hilal, despite being down to nine men, held off Al Nassr’s attempts to secure a win.
Al Hilal triumphed in the shootout after a late equalizer by Al Nassr’s Ayman Yahya.
In the semifinals of the Saudi Super Cup, Al Nassr showed strong attacking intent, with Yahya scoring the opening goal and Cristiano Ronaldo adding another in a 2-0 win over Al Taawoun.
However, the match was marred by a late red card for Marcelo Brozovic, who will miss the final.
Al Hilal, meanwhile, overcame a challenging semifinal against Al Ahli, with Roberto Firmino initially putting Al Ahli ahead. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late header forced a penalty shootout, which Al Hilal won thanks to successful penalties from Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
A key subplot in this rivalry has been the individual duel between Senegalese defenders Kalidou Koulibaly of Al Hilal and Sadio Mane of Al Nassr.
Koulibaly has successfully contained Mane in their previous encounters, with the forward managing just one goal against Al Hilal.
As both teams continue to find their rhythm post-summer break, the final promises to be a closely contested match.
With both sides eager to make a statement early in the season, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr will be aiming to end Al Hilal’s recent domestic dominance.
