RIYADH — Ollie Watkins marked his Al Hilal debut with a goal as the Riyadh giants delivered an early statement in the Roshn Saudi League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Al Ahli at Kingdom Arena on Wednesday.The England international, who completed his move from Aston Villa only two days earlier, came off the bench at halftime and needed just 41 minutes to open his account in Saudi football.Watkins sealed the victory four minutes from time, stooping at the back post to head home Sultan Mandash’s cross and cap an impressive first appearance for his new club.The 30-year-old arrived in Riyadh as Aston Villa’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 91 goals and immediately demonstrated the finishing ability Al Hilal recruited him to provide.By the time Watkins entered, however, Simone Inzaghi’s side had already established control over one of their expected title rivals.Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring in the ninth minute, beating Al Ahli’s defensive line before finishing to give the hosts an early advantage.Summer signing Crysencio Summerville doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with an impressive individual effort from a tight angle, continuing his strong start following his move from West Ham United.Al Ahli’s hopes of mounting a comeback suffered another major blow in first-half stoppage time when defender Merih Demiral was sent off, leaving the visitors to play the entire second half with 10 men.Al Hilal controlled proceedings after the break before Watkins supplied the finishing touch in the 86th minute.The result continued Al Hilal’s perfect start to the 2026-27 RSL campaign and lifted last season’s runners-up to the top of the early standings.Al Hilal and defending champions Al Nassr are the only teams to have maintained a 100% record at the start of the new league season.For Al Hilal, the victory over the back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite winners offered another indication of their title ambitions after finishing runners-up last season.And for Watkins, his first night in Saudi football could hardly have gone better, a debut, a goal and three points against one of Al Hilal’s major rivals.
RIYADH — Ollie Watkins marked his Al Hilal debut with a goal as the Riyadh giants delivered an early statement in the Roshn Saudi League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Al Ahli at Kingdom Arena on Wednesday.The England international, who completed his move from Aston Villa only two days earlier, came off the bench at halftime and needed just 41 minutes to open his account in Saudi football.Watkins sealed the victory four minutes from time, stooping at the back post to head home Sultan Mandash’s cross and cap an impressive first appearance for his new club.The 30-year-old arrived in Riyadh as Aston Villa’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 91 goals and immediately demonstrated the finishing ability Al Hilal recruited him to provide.By the time Watkins entered, however, Simone Inzaghi’s side had already established control over one of their expected title rivals.Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring in the ninth minute, beating Al Ahli’s defensive line before finishing to give the hosts an early advantage.Summer signing Crysencio Summerville doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with an impressive individual effort from a tight angle, continuing his strong start following his move from West Ham United.Al Ahli’s hopes of mounting a comeback suffered another major blow in first-half stoppage time when defender Merih Demiral was sent off, leaving the visitors to play the entire second half with 10 men.Al Hilal controlled proceedings after the break before Watkins supplied the finishing touch in the 86th minute.The result continued Al Hilal’s perfect start to the 2026-27 RSL campaign and lifted last season’s runners-up to the top of the early standings.Al Hilal and defending champions Al Nassr are the only teams to have maintained a 100% record at the start of the new league season.For Al Hilal, the victory over the back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite winners offered another indication of their title ambitions after finishing runners-up last season.And for Watkins, his first night in Saudi football could hardly have gone better, a debut, a goal and three points against one of Al Hilal’s major rivals.
