Al Hilal, defending champions, returned to the Kingdom Arena Friday night with a dominant 3-0 victory over Al Fayha.

Al Hilal, who had been scheduled to a 1-1 draw by Al Fayha at home previous season in King Fahd International Stadium, made a powerful statement in the game. But this time Al Hilal showed supremacy all through the game, guaranteeing a clear win with a new manager guiding the team and fresh squad.

Going ahead just five minutes into the game, the hosts grabbed control fast. Renan Lodi, who sent a perfect cross from the left wing, was set up in great part by Salem Al Dawsari. Recently signed to support Al Hilal's attack, Marcos Leonardo seized the chance and swept the ball from close range for his maiden goal in the Roshn Saudi League. Al Hilal needed the impetus this early goal provided to keep on.

Before the half-hour, Leonardo came quite near to scoring once more. Rising above the defenders to meet a cross from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, his header crashed past the post just missing the opportunity to increase the lead. Al Hilal kept Al Fayha on the back foot for most of the first half despite the near miss, dominating possession and generating opportunities.

Al Hilal's control grew only as the game went on. Salem Al Dawsari, the captain, discovered the back of the net in the 65th minute, doubling the lead of his team. Joao Cancelo started the drama by tying up with Milinkovic-Savic and then delivering an accurate cross to Al Dawsari. The Saudi international positioned the hosts in a commanding manner by timing his run properly and precisely headed beyond Al Fayha goalkeeper Abdulraouf Al Duqayl.

Driven to return to the game, Al Fayha surged forward in the last stages in an attempt to close the difference. They were so vulnerable to Al Hilal's deadly counterattacks, nevertheless. Al Hilal seized a such chance fully in the 81st minute. Leading a breakaway and setting up young talent from off-the-bench Mohammed Al Qahtani, Malcom displayed his pace and vision. Al Qahtani closed the game in style and guaranteed the 3-0 triumph by deftly controlling the ball and hitting a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Being the first team of the season to achieve twenty goals, this victory confirmed Al Hilal's supremacy in the Roshn Saudi League. Furthermore, the triumph marks their outstanding 43-match undefeated record, which began in the 2022–23 season. Under the direction of their new manager Jorge Jesus, Al Hilal's performance displayed their depth and strength as they keep challenging themselves as the team to surpass in the league.

Al Fayha, on the other hand, kept struggling. Having only one victory from their seven games this season, they still fall short of their best. They tried hard, but they couldn match Al Hilal's tactical acumen and firepower. Al Fayha has lots of time to consider their loss as they try to turn their season around.

Al Hilal's 3-0 triumph over Al Fayha finally proved their attacking power and the cohesiveness of their rebuilt team. Al Hilal's performance matched the aspirations of important players like Marcos Leonardo, Salem Al Dawsari, and emerging star Mohammed Al Qahtani to defend their title and keep their hegemony in the league. Al Fayha's poor beginning to the season persisted as they struggled to handle the constant pressure from the reigning champions and deft counterattacks.