A goal from Serbian Sergej Milinkovic Savic twelve minutes before the end prevented Al-Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoreless, from securing a win and saved reigning champions Al-Hilal from defeat. Al-Hilal had been trailing since the opening minute, when Brazilian Anderson Talisca put the home team ahead. 

Al-Hilal was unable to extend its winning streak, as Jorge Jesus’s team saw its run of eighteen consecutive victories in official competitions end, dating back to their last draw on May 17 in the Saudi Pro League last season.

Al-Hilal struggled to regain control against the league’s third-placed team, which took the lead in the first minute with a goal by Anderson Talisca assisted by Portuguese Otávio.

With Cristiano Ronaldo unable to find the target, the equalizer didn’t come until the 78th minute when Milinkovic Savic headed in a cross from Renan Lodi on the left.

For the first time this season, Jorge Jesus’s squad, which had won all its previous matches, dropped points. Still, after matchday nine, they lead the standings with a one-point advantage over Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad and six points over Cristiano’s Al-Nassr.