TABŪK, Saudi Arabia (Interstat) — In a match that played out nearly exactly as projected, Al Hilal edged a resilient NEOM SC 2-1 on Sunday at King Khalid Sport City Stadium to open its Saudi Pro League campaign with a victory.

The visiting powerhouse from Riyadh, carrying momentum from a strong preseason, controlled large stretches of the match but was forced to withstand late pressure from the league newcomers after a pair of first-half goals proved just enough. The final score aligned perfectly with the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which heavily favored Al Hilal with a 98 percent probability to win.

Al Hilal, whose season record across all competitions now stands at three wins, one loss and two draws, broke through just before halftime. Defender Mohammed Al Burayk opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, powering a header past the NEOM SC goalkeeper to settle his side after a period of sustained possession.

The lead doubled quickly after the restart. Just seven minutes later, in the 49th minute, defender Hassan Al Tambakti found the net with a left-footed strike, capitalizing on Al Hilal’s territorial dominance and putting the visitors in a commanding position.

The match’s physical intensity was reflected in three yellow cards. Al Hilal’s midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić received the first booking in the 44th minute, shortly after his team’s opening goal. NEOM SC’s Faris Abdi was cautioned in the 64th minute as the home side pressed for a way back into the game. Al Hilal defender Pablo Marí was shown a yellow card in the 73rd minute during a tense final quarter-hour.

NEOM SC, playing in its inaugural Pro League season, refused to capitulate. The home side, now zero wins, one loss and two draws across all competitions this season, halved the deficit with a goal that set up a nervy finish for the favorites. Despite a spirited push in the closing stages, NEOM SC could not find an equalizer, falling to a narrow defeat in its first league outing.

The victory gives Al Hilal a winning start to its domestic season, moving its Pro League record to one win and zero losses. For NEOM SC, the competitive performance in defeat offers a measure of encouragement, but its record in the competition begins at zero wins and one loss. The match concluded a successful opening fixture for Al Hilal, which now looks to build on this result as it continues a season that has already included notable preseason results against international opponents.