The Saudi Pro League opening weekend kicked off in thrilling style with goals for stars including Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Malcom.
Wins for Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq were the talking points of the fast-rising league’s opening round of fixtures and fans in the Kingdom and across the world got a first look at many new players who have been making headlines.
On the most talked about weekend in the history of football in the Middle East, the league’s biggest star, Cristiano Ronaldo, was absent through injury.
Saudi Pro League weekend review
The Portugal star and catalyst for the revolution currently underway in the ambitious league was injured after scoring twice to help his Al Nassr side win the Arab Club Champions Cup title over Al Hilal on Saturday evening.
His absence may have contributed to the Riyadh-based side losing out to a Steven Gerrard-managed side featuring former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Moussa Dembele.
The first round of fixtures proved the Kingdom can be a happy hunting ground for players from the South American country. Neymar’s fellow countrymen Roberto Firmino and Malcolm both scored hat-tricks on their debuts in the league this weekend.
Al Ittihad’s own Brazilian import Igor Coronado, who has been in the Saudi Pro League since 2021, joined in with his countrymen as he scored two goals in an easy 3-0 victory over Al Raed.
Former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema had his first taste of the Saudi Pro League, but was not able to register a first goal.
All eyes were on the international recruits to see how they would fare in their opening games in the Saudi Pro League and how they would fare in their new environment and, for the most part, they did not disappoint.
No matter how big their contracts may be, there is no guarantee of goals, great performances or success.
While it is harder to assess the impact of goalkeepers, defenders and even deep-lying midfielders, forwards will be judged on the goals they score.
As well as opening weekend hat-tricks for Malcom and Firmino, Sadio Mane was among the goals – taking just four minutes to net his first of the season.
Three of the four teams owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) (Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and Al Hilal) registered victories and with the heavy investment seem likely to stay at the top of the table as the season progresses.
Saudi Pro League matchday 1 results
- Al Ahli Saudi 3 – 1 Al Hazm
- Al Ta’ee 1 – 0 Damac
- Al Feiha 3 – 1 Al Khaleej
- Al Fateh 1 – 1 Al Taawoun
- Al Riyadh 1 – 0 Al Wehda
- Al Raed 0 – 3 Al Ittihad
- Abha 1 – 3 Al Hilal
- Al Ettifaq 2 – 1 Al Nassr
- Al Shabab 1 – 1 Al Akhdoud
Follow us on
