Salem Al-Dawsari ends 197-day wait for Al Hilal goal

Salem Al-Dawsari scored his first goal of the season for Al Hilal after a 197-day wait, finding the net in the Saudi club’s AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Shamal.

Al Hilal faced the Qatari side at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Tuesday in the third round of the league phase.

The Saudi Arabia captain opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when France full-back Theo Hernandez delivered a low cross towards the unguarded goal, allowing Al-Dawsari to finish.

The goal came on Al-Dawsari’s first start for Al Hilal this season and his third appearance overall. His previous two outings had been brief substitute appearances in the Roshn Saudi League.

It was his first goal for Al Hilal since 13 April, when he scored in a 3-3 draw with Qatari club Al Sadd in the last 16 of the same Asian competition. Al Hilal subsequently lost that tie on penalties.

Al-Dawsari had been absent from Al Hilal at the start of the current campaign after undergoing surgery. The injury came after he represented Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Before his goal against Al Shamal, Al-Dawsari had played eight matches for Al Hilal across the Roshn Saudi League and AFC Champions League Elite without scoring. Six of those appearances came at the end of last season, while two were made this season.

Al Hilal are listed to play Al Fateh in the Roshn Saudi League on 31 October 2026. Their next listed AFC Champions League Elite fixture is against Esteghlal on 03 November 2026, while Al Shamal is also listed in the schedule for that date.