Aleksandr Mitrovic scores a trademark header on his Al-Hilal debut following his £50m move from Fulham as they beat Al-Raed 4-0

Aleksandr Mitrovic scores a signature header on his Al-Hilal debut following his £50 million transfer from Fulham as they beat Al-Raed 4-0

  • Al-Hilal recovered from a broken heart and defeated the lowest ranked Al-Raed
  • Mitrovic, Aldawsari, Al-Hamdan and Milinkovic-Savic scored for Al-Hilal
  • Oumar Gonzalez received a red card in the 78th minute of the game

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a signature header to help Al-Hilal recover from heartbreak and beat bottom-ranked Al-Raed 4–0 in their third match of the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League season.

Al-Hilal suffered their first defeat this season when they lost to Al-Nassr in the League Cup final with Cristiano Ronaldo picking up a brace.

However, on Thursday night, Al-Hilal bounced back to victory, beating Al-Raed thanks to goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic, Salem Aldawsari, Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Serej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Saudi squad managed to secure victory without Neymar, who became Al-Hilal’s new superstar earlier this summer.

Neymar is battling an ankle injury and will be sidelined for the next four weeks as he recovers and undergoes his rehabilitation plan.

Mitrovic had a perfect debut in the Saudi Pro League, scoring the first goal of the game for his side

Mitrovic (above) was named in Al-Hilal's starting line-up by manager Jorge Jesus after completing a summer transfer from Fulham

Mitrovic (above) was named in Al-Hilal’s starting line-up by manager Jorge Jesus after completing a summer transfer from Fulham

Ruben Neves and his teammates dominated the game, despite going into the match after defeat to Al-Nassr in the Leagues Cup final

Ruben Neves and his teammates dominated the game, despite going into the match after defeat to Al-Nassr in the Leagues Cup final

The Saudi squad secured victory without Neymar (above), who became Al-Hilal's new superstar earlier this summer.

The Saudi squad secured victory without Neymar (above), who became Al-Hilal’s new superstar earlier this summer.

Nevertheless, Mitrovic enjoyed a perfect Saudi Pro League debut, scoring his side’s first goal of the game in the 42nd minute.

Mitrovic was named in Al-Hilal’s starting line-up by manager Jorge Jesus after completing a summer transfer from Fulham.

Al Dawsari doubled the visitors’ lead by finding the back of the net from the penalty spot. Al-Hamdan and Milinkovic-Savic further extended their lead.

MATCH FACTS

Al Raed (4-4-2): 1. Andre Moreira (GK) — 2. Bander Whaeshi 21. Oumar Gonzalez, 19. Abdullah Al-Fahad, 24. Mohammed Al-Sobeai (Al Jayzani, 72) — 32. Mohammed Salem Al Dossary (Al Ghamdi, 65), 14. Mansor Al-Beshe, 5. Mamadou Loum, 45. Yahya Sunbul (El Berkaoui, 72) — 17. Júlio Tavares (Al Ghamdi, 86), 7. Amir Sayoud (Bassam, 86)

Al Hilal (4-2-3-1): 37. Yassine Bounou (GK) — 66. Saud Abdulhamid (Al Burayk, 90+3), 70. Mohammed Jahfali, 5. Ali Albulayhi, 12. Yasser Alshahrani (Al Dawsari, 90+5) — 8. Ruben Neves ( Al Juwayr, 90+3), 22. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic — 96. Michael (Kanno, 82), 77. Malcom, 29. Salem Aldawsari — 9. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hamdan, 82)