Al-Hilal thrashes Al-Kholood 6-0, closes gap on Al-Nassr

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against Al-Kholood.

RIYADH, April 9: Al Hilal delivered a commanding 6-0 victory over Al-Kholood in a rescheduled match from the 29th round of the Saudi Professional League.

The win boosted Al Hilal to 68 points, just two behind league leader Al Nassr, who faces Al-Kholood on Saturday. The victory also allowed Al Hilal to leapfrog Al Ahli, who dropped to third after a 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha, now ninth with 34 points.

Muteb Al-Harbi opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and French star Karim Benzema quickly added a second goal. Benzema completed his hat-trick with a third in the 31st minute and scored a fourth in first-half stoppage time. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari extended the lead in the 55th minute, with Brazilian Marcos Leonardo adding a sixth in the 76th minute.

Al Hilal will now prepare to face Al Sadd from Qatar on Monday in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite. Al-Kholood remains 14th with 26 points following the heavy defeat.

Elsewhere, Neom secured a thrilling 4-3 win over Al Ittihad in another rescheduled 29th-round clash. The victory moved Neom up to eighth with 39 points, while defending champions Al Ittihad remain sixth with 45 points.