Al-Hilal clinched a 4-1 victory over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup final held at Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, marking their first trophy of the season. This win propels them towards an unprecedented quadruple, given their dominant position in the Saudi Pro League, where they lead by 12 points ahead of Al-Nassr, even with just seven games remaining.
In addition to their Super Cup triumph, Al-Hilal is riding a wave of success with a world record-winning streak of 34 consecutive games in all competitions for top-tier teams. This remarkable feat underscores their formidable performance across various competitions.
The final against Al-Ittihad saw Brazilian winger Malcom shine with two crucial goals, supported by late strikes from Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari. Despite Ittihad's efforts, including contributions from high-profile signings like Karim Benzema and Abderrazak Hamdallah, Al-Hilal's prowess on the field proved insurmountable.
The match also witnessed a controversial incident involving Hamdallah and a fan near the field, leading to security intervention. This incident added a dramatic twist to an already intense encounter.
The expansion of the Super Cup format in 2023, including the participation of runners-up from various competitions, has added an extra layer of competitiveness to the tournament. Furthermore, moving the Super Cup to Abu Dhabi has brought a new dimension to the event.
Looking ahead, Al-Hilal's focus shifts to the Asian Champions League semifinals, where they face Al-Ain in the first leg as they aim to secure a record fifth continental title. This ambitious pursuit of multiple trophies reflects the club's ambitions and the significant investments made in player transfers following its acquisition by the Saudi sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.