Sports

Al-Hilal defeats Al-Wahda with a brace from Nunez and tops the Asian elite

Al-Hilal concluded their AFC Champions League group stage campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Al-Wahda. Darwin Nunez's brace secured the unbeaten record for the league leaders at the Kingdom Arena.

Published

45 minutes ago

February 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Al-Hilal continued their dominance over their rivals and reaffirmed their continental supremacy, concluding the AFC Champions League group stage with a perfect record and an unbeaten record after securing a well-deserved and thrilling 2-1 victory over their Emirati visitors, Al-Wahda. The match took place on Monday evening at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, in front of a large crowd, as part of the final round of group stage matches.

Al-Hilal owes this precious victory to its Uruguayan star, Darwin Núñez, who established himself as the man of the match by scoring both of the Blue team's goals in the 19th and 77th minutes. Al-Wahda's lone goal came from Malian Ibrahima Diarra in the 32nd minute. With this result, Al-Hilal raised its points tally to 22, soaring to the top of the Western Group and sending a strong message to the other competitors in the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Al-Wahda's points remained at 14, temporarily holding onto fourth place.

Match details and technical excitement

The match was highly competitive from the opening minutes, with Al Hilal creating an early chance through a header from Frenchman Mohamed Kader Meite, which Al Wahda goalkeeper Zayed Al Hammadi brilliantly saved in the fourth minute. Meanwhile, Al Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie played a pivotal role in keeping his net intact at crucial moments, notably making a difficult save from a powerful shot by Argentinian Facundo in the 15th minute, turning it behind for a corner.

Al-Hilal responded quickly, with Darwin Nunez opening the scoring with a well-placed header in the 19th minute, before missing a clear one-on-one opportunity two minutes later. Despite Al-Hilal's attempts to extend their lead, Al-Wahda managed to get back into the game from a corner kick, headed in by Ibrahima Diarra in the 32nd minute. The first half also saw Al-Rubaie make a brilliant save from a shot by Syrian Omar Kharbin, and the crossbar denying Al-Wahda a second goal from Facundo.

The second half and Al-Hilal's decisive victory

In the second half, Al Hilal intensified their attacks, with Portuguese player Ruben Neves nearly scoring, but his shot went just wide of the post. The same scenario repeated itself with substitute Sultan Mandash. As the pressure continued, Nunez sealed the victory with a second goal in the 77th minute, capitalizing on a cross which he powerfully volleyed into the net. Al Wahda tried to equalize in stoppage time, but Mohammed Al-Rubaie's alertness thwarted Abdullah Al-Menhali's shot in the 90th minute.

The importance of victory and the context of the championship

This victory holds special significance beyond just the three points; it reinforces Al-Hilal's technical and administrative stability and confirms the team's readiness to compete for the continental title in its new "Elite" format. Finishing the group stage undefeated and in first place gives the team a significant psychological and technical advantage before entering the knockout rounds, guaranteeing them matches against relatively lower-ranked teams and the opportunity to play the decisive second leg at home in front of their fans.

Regionally, this match reflects the significant development in the level of competition between Saudi and Emirati clubs. Al Wahda delivered a strong performance despite the loss, promising more exciting encounters in the future. This performance underscores the rising standard of the tournament, which brings together the continent's elite clubs, thus enhancing the market and technical value of Asian football.

Sports

Goalkeeper Juan Cusani suspended and fined by the Disciplinary Committee

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has announced the suspension of Al-Kholoud goalkeeper Juan Cusani and fined him 10,000 riyals. Learn the details of the penalty and the reason for the decision according to the Saudi Football Federation regulations.

Published

59 minutes ago

February 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee announced in an urgent official statement the issuance of a disciplinary sanction against Juan Cusani, goalkeeper for Al-Kholoud FC's first team. This decision stems from events that occurred during the team's recent match in the Roshan Professional League, where the committee identified violations that necessitated decisive intervention to enforce the competition's regulations.

Details of the penalty and suspension

The committee explained in its decision that player Juan Cusani had violated Article (48-2-1) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Consequently, the Al-Kholoud goalkeeper was suspended for one match in all official matches in which he is eligible to participate with his team. This suspension is a direct disciplinary measure aimed at deterring unsportsmanlike conduct and violations of the game's rules.

Financial penalty and final status of the decision

In addition to the suspension, the committee fined the player 10,000 Saudi Riyals, to be deposited into the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's account. The committee concluded its statement by noting that this decision is final and not subject to appeal, in accordance with Article 144 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations. This means the penalty is effective immediately and cannot be challenged by either the club or the player.

The importance of discipline in the Roshan Professional League

The decisions of the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee are of paramount importance in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the Saudi Professional League, which is experiencing tremendous growth and unprecedented global viewership. Through the strict application of these regulations, the committee aims to foster mutual respect among players and clubs and ensure that matches are conducted according to the highest professional standards. Such decisions reinforce the value of sportsmanship and affirm that the law applies to everyone without exception, thus contributing to raising the technical and organizational level of the strongest competition in the region.

The impact of the absence on Al-Kholoud Club

The absence of goalkeeper Juan Cusani is expected to cast a shadow over Al-Kholoud's preparations for their upcoming match, as the goalkeeper position is a cornerstone of the team's defensive stability. The coaching staff will have to find a suitable replacement and prepare him both mentally and technically to compensate for this significant loss, especially given the intense competition in the league and the team's desire to improve their position in the standings.

Sports

The Disciplinary Committee officially rejects Al-Ittihad's protest against Al-Nasr

Officially, the Disciplinary Committee rejects Al-Ittihad’s protest against Abdullah Al-Hamdan’s participation in the Al-Nasr match in the Roshan League, and confirms the validity of the result and the legality of the participation according to the regulations.

Published

1 hour ago

February 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has put an end to the issue that has recently preoccupied the sports scene, as it officially announced the rejection of the protest submitted by the management of Al-Ittihad Club against the legality of the participation of player Abdullah Al-Hamdan with his team Al-Nasr, during the Clasico match that brought the two teams together as part of the competitions of the twentieth round of the Roshan Professional League.

The committee published a decisive official statement on its X platform account, detailing the decision that followed a thorough review of the case. The decision stated: "The protest is accepted in form, but rejected on its merits, and the protest fee is forfeited to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation." The committee also noted that this decision is subject to appeal in accordance with Article (144) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations, granting Al-Ittihad Club the right to escalate the matter should it wish to do so.

The incident stems from a highly anticipated match held at Al-Awwal Park, where Al-Ittihad's management filed an official protest questioning the eligibility of striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, citing competition regulations. The match ended in a well-deserved 2-0 victory for Al-Nassr, in a highly competitive and exciting encounter reflecting the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs.

This decision comes at a time of unprecedented sporting activity in Saudi football, with the Saudi Professional League matches attracting global attention and widespread media coverage. The "Clásico" matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are considered among the most important events on the season's calendar, not only for their impact on the league standings but also for their historical and competitive legacy spanning decades. This decision underscores the stability of on-field results and the Saudi Football Federation's reliance on precise regulations and procedures in resolving disputes through its judicial committees.

Technically, this decision means that the three points are awarded to Al-Nassr, strengthening their position in the league standings, while Al-Ittihad must now focus on their upcoming matches to make up for the lost points. This event demonstrates the high level of professionalism Saudi clubs have reached in exercising their legal rights, as well as the speed and transparency of the relevant committees in adjudicating cases to ensure fair and impartial competition.

It is worth noting that Article (144), on which the committee relied, allows the affected parties to resort to the Sports Arbitration Center or the Appeals Committee according to specific conditions. However, the rejection of the protest objectively by the Disciplinary Committee is a strong indication of the soundness of Al-Nasr Club’s position and the legality of its player’s participation in the aforementioned match.

Sports

Tuesday's match schedule: AFC Champions League, UEFA Champions League, and the Egyptian Cup

Find out the schedule for Tuesday's matches in the AFC Champions League, the UEFA Champions League, and the Egyptian Cup. High-profile matches for Al-Ittihad, Real Madrid, and Zamalek are featured in today's fixtures.

Published

1 hour ago

February 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Football fans around the world will be glued to their screens today, as Al-Midan Al-Riyadi provides a comprehensive overview of Tuesday's diverse match schedule . This day promises a wealth of football action, combining continental excitement in Asia and Europe with fierce domestic competition in Egypt, ensuring a rich football feast for fans.

Asian summits in the elite league and the Champions League 2

In Asia, matches have taken on paramount importance with the new competition format. The AFC Champions , the premier club competition in Asia featuring the continent's elite teams, will witness a heavyweight clash between Qatar's Al Sadd and Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad. This match is more than just a contest for points; it's a Gulf football derby imbued with the historical rivalry between Saudi and Qatari clubs. Meanwhile, Al Gharafa will be looking to secure a positive result against Iran's Tractor to strengthen their position in the group.

In the AFC Champions League 2 , which is considered an important platform for clubs aspiring to prove their presence continentally, Al Wasl of the UAE will host Al Zawraa of Iraq in a purely Arab derby, while Al Hussein Irbid of Jordan will face a tough test against Esteghlal Tehran, one of the pillars of Iranian football.

Champions League nights return with major European clashes

In Europe, the Champions League with a host of heavyweight clashes. All eyes will be on the classic encounter between Portugal's Benfica and Real Madrid, the most decorated club in the competition's history, as Los Blancos always seek to reaffirm their European dominance. The schedule also features a French clash with a European edge between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as a highly anticipated tactical battle between Italy's Juventus and Turkey's Galatasaray in front of a packed stadium, and a potentially unpredictable encounter between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta.

Local excitement in the Egypt Cup

Domestically, the excitement is no less intense in the Egypt Cup , the oldest tournament in Egyptian football history, where Zamalek faces a tough challenge against Ceramica Cleopatra. Cup matches are always characterized by surprises and caution, as the White Knights strive to advance towards the podium.