Al-Hilal Clinches 12th King Cup in Gripping Final Triumph

In a season filled with highs and lows both on and off the pitch, Al-Hilal will end the campaign with something worth celebrating. Regardless of how their gripping title race with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League unfolds, the Blues have etched their name once again in history by claiming their 12th Saudi King Cup trophy.

On Friday night, Al-Hilal ended Al-Kholood's remarkable journey in the King Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. The triumph didn’t come easy, as Al-Kholood stunned the favorites with an early goal inside three minutes. However, the storied club rallied with two goals in a quick five-minute flurry before halftime, securing the narrow advantage that would ultimately deliver their third cup title in four years.

Though they fell short of victory, Al-Kholood were far from mere participants. The underdogs, sitting 12 spots below their opponents in the Saudi Pro League, made history of their own. Promoted to the Saudi top flight for the first time in 2024, the club gained further distinction in 2025 when American investor Ben Harburg became their owner—the first foreign-owned club in Saudi Arabia. Under Harburg’s leadership, Al-Kholood embraced a community-driven ethos which has been instrumental in their remarkable growth, culminating in an unforgettable run to the King Cup final.

Al-Kholood employed their trademark 4-4-2 formation that earlier helped them stifle reigning Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a goalless draw. In a tactical adjustment for the final, coach Des Buckingham swapped Iker Kortajarena and Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa’s positions on the wings to target spaces behind Al-Hilal’s defense.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi stuck to his signature 3-1-4-2 setup, featuring Ruben Neves and Hassan Al-Tambakti alternating as a libero. However, this setup showed vulnerability early in the game. A precise long ball from Al-Kholood exposed gaps in their backline, allowing Ramiro Enrique to evade the defense and fire past Yassine Bounou to score a stunning opener in the third minute.

With an early lead, Buckingham’s team quickly adopted a defensive posture, packing into compact lines that for a time seemed impenetrable. Yet, Al-Hilal’s relentless pressure finally bore fruit in the 42nd minute. Malcom outmaneuvered Shaquille Pinas on the right flank, delivering a cross that Karim Benzema narrowly missed. While the initial threat was cleared, Nasser Al-Dawsari reacted fastest in the penalty area, calmly slotting the ball past Juan Cozzani to level the score.

The Blues struck again moments before halftime. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic drifted wide during stoppage time, sending a low, dangerous cross into the box. While Al-Kholood’s defense managed only a partial clearance, Benzema laid the ball off expertly for Theo Hernandez, whose thunderous strike from distance found the far corner, sending Al-Hilal into the break with a 2-1 lead.

After falling behind, Al-Kholood struggled to rediscover their early rhythm or produce meaningful chances as the game progressed. Al-Hilal maintained control with composure and almost extended their lead late in the second half when Sultan Mandash squandered a golden opportunity.

As the second half wore on, the match's most memorable moment arguably occurred off the field. Fans erupted in celebration as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the 80th minute to watch the closing stages and later present the medals and trophy to the jubilant Al-Hilal squad.

Al-Hilal now shift focus to the pivotal Capital Derby against Al-Nassr on May 12. For Al-Nassr, victory would secure the league title; for Al-Hilal, a win would ensure their destiny remains in their hands, as triumphs in their final two matches would guarantee top spot.