Al-Hilal’s 47-game unbeaten run ends on Martinelli’s debut

Al-Hilal’s remarkable 47-game unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League ended with a 2-0 home defeat to Neom, on a night that also marked Gabriel Martinelli’s first start for the club.

The loss ended Al-Hilal’s perfect start to the season after five consecutive victories. It also handed coach Simone Inzaghi his first league defeat since he took charge in June 2025 and halted the club’s pursuit of Al-Ahli’s league record of 51 matches without defeat. Al-Hilal had finished the run with 35 wins and 12 draws, four matches short of the record.

“

I am responsible for this painful loss, which will deprive me of sleep.

Inzaghi started Martinelli, Ollie Watkins and Crysencio Summerville, the club’s three major Premier League recruits. The trio cost a reported total of more than $200 million. Martinelli arrived from Arsenal, Watkins joined from Aston Villa four days earlier, and Summerville moved from West Ham in July.

“

did what they had to do

The expensive attack could not produce a goal. Al-Hilal failed to hit the target for the first time this season. Neom took the lead after 15 minutes when former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly turned the ball into his own net. Ivory Coast midfielder Amadou Kone doubled the advantage shortly before halftime.

Al-Hilal stayed top of the table on 15 points, while Neom moved to 12. Inzaghi accepted responsibility, saying, “I am responsible for this painful loss, which will deprive me of sleep.” He said his players “did what they had to do,” but acknowledged that the team had not performed as required in the first half. “I repeat that I take full responsibility for the loss, and such losses bring the players back to reality,” he said.

“

I repeat that I take full responsibility for the loss, and such losses bring the players back to reality