Al-Sukur defeated Al-Hilal 2-0 in the Saudi Pro League's sixth matchday on Sunday evening. The visitors took control after Kalidou Koulibaly's own goal in the fifteenth minute and sealed the result when Amadou Koné struck before half-time. Al-Hilal, who had won all five opening fixtures, lost their perfect record for the first time this season.
The home side dominated possession at 64 per cent but could not convert their territorial advantage. They registered fifteen shots against four from Al-Sukur, yet only five found the target compared to four accurate efforts from the visitors. The disparity between volume and efficiency was stark.
Al-Hilal's defensive frailty proved costly. Koulibaly's mistake in the fifteenth minute handed Al-Sukur the initiative, and they never looked back. The visitors kept their composure, making only four shots on target but converting two of them. Al-Hilal's goalkeeper made three saves while Al-Sukur's keeper recorded five.
The visitors' form had been inconsistent before this result. They had won three of their previous five matches, including victories over Al-Khalij and Al-Faisaly, but also suffered defeats to Al-Riyadh and Al-Qadsiah. This win moved them into eighth place, though the table remains fluid this early in the campaign.
Al-Hilal's five-match winning streak came to an abrupt halt. They had beaten Al-Shabab 2-0, Al-Ahli 3-0, Al-Khalij 5-1, Al-Fayha 3-0 and Al-Raed 2-0 in succession. The result leaves them top of the table on fifteen points, but the margin at the summit has narrowed considerably.
Substitutions began in the second half as both managers sought to change the dynamic. Al-Hilal brought on Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli together in the eightieth minute, while Al-Sukur introduced Alaa Hejji with just over a minute remaining. The visitors held firm to secure all three points away from home.
