Al Hilal have been awarded three penalties in a single Saudi top-flight match for the fifth time in the professional era, with Al Faisaly becoming the latest team to suffer as the defending champions began the new season with a 4-2 victory.
All three spot-kicks were converted by Al Hilal during Friday’s opening-round match at Kingdom Arena. The result put them top of the Roshn Saudi League after the first round, with three points and a superior goal difference over second-placed Al Qadsiah.
The latest penalty landmark was reported by the Saudi television programme Dorina Ghair, broadcast on Al Saudiya. Its review of Al Hilal’s league history found that the club had previously received three penalties in one match on four occasions during the professional era.
The first of those matches came in the 2019-20 season, when Al Hilal were awarded three penalties in a 3-1 win over Al Raed.
The same pattern appeared again the following campaign. Al Hilal collected three spot-kicks and completed a 5-0 victory against Al Ain.
Their third such match took place in the 2022-23 season, when they defeated Al Batin 3-1 after again being awarded three penalties.
The fourth occasion came in 2024-25, as Al Hilal beat Al Riyadh by the same 3-1 scoreline.
Al Faisaly then became the fifth team to face Al Hilal in a league match in which the Riyadh club were awarded three penalties. Unlike the previous four examples, this latest result came at the beginning of the current campaign, allowing Al Hilal to start their title defence with maximum points.
The 4-2 scoreline also ensured that all three penalties contributed directly to Al Hilal’s final tally. Their successful opening-round result leaves them level on points with Al Qadsiah, but ahead on goal difference.
The record highlights a recurring feature of Al Hilal’s recent Saudi league campaigns: the club have now converted three-penalty performances into victories against Al Raed, Al Ain, Al Batin, Al Riyadh and Al Faisaly.
Al Hilal currently sit at the summit of the Roshn Saudi League with three points, while Al Qadsiah occupy second place. The two sides are separated only by goal difference after the opening round.
