The Saudi Pro League is home to one of the most intense and historic rivalries in football: Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal. Known as the “Derby of Riyadh,” this rivalry has captivated Saudi Arabian football fans for decades, with both clubs boasting a rich history and passionate fan bases. Here’s an in-depth look at Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, their rivalry, and some of their most memorable encounters.
Al-Nassr Football Club
Founded in 1955, Al-Nassr is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. Based in Riyadh, the capital city, Al-Nassr has a storied history and a passionate fan base known as “Al-Nassrion.”
Key Achievements:
- Saudi Pro League: 9 titles (1975-76, 1980-81, 1989-90, 1994-95, 2007-08, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2018-19, 2020-21)
- Saudi King’s Cup: 7 titles (1974, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1990, 2008, 2014)
- Saudi Super Cup: 3 titles (1966, 2014, 2015)
- AFC Champions League: 1 title (1995)
Al-Hilal Football Club
Established in 1957, Al-Hilal is another prominent club from Riyadh with a rich history and a dedicated fan base, known as “Al-Hilalies.” Al-Hilal is often considered one of the most successful clubs in Asia, with a record number of continental titles.
Key Achievements:
- Saudi Pro League: 16 titles (1977, 1979, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2004-05, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20)
- Saudi King’s Cup: 6 titles (1961, 1964, 1989, 2000, 2005, 2010)
- Saudi Super Cup: 4 titles (1964, 2000, 2001, 2018)
- AFC Champions League: 4 titles (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021)
The Rivalry
The Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal rivalry is one of the most intense in Saudi football, with both clubs boasting passionate fan bases and a long history of success. The rivalry has produced some memorable encounters, with matches often deciding the Saudi Pro League title or determining which club progresses in continental competitions.
Memorable Encounters
- 1995 AFC Champions League Final: Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal faced off in the 1995 AFC Champions League final, with Al-Nassr emerging victorious on penalties after a 2-2 draw. This was Al-Nassr’s first and only continental title to date, while Al-Hilal has since won the competition three more times.
- 2008 Saudi Pro League Title Decider: In the 2007-08 season, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal were neck and neck in the Saudi Pro League title race. The final match of the season saw Al-Nassr secure a 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal, clinching the title on goal difference.
- 2019 Saudi Pro League Title Race: The 2018-19 season saw another intense title race between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr ultimately secured the title with a 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal in the final match of the season, ending Al-Hilal’s three-year reign as champions.
- 2021 AFC Champions League Semifinals: In the 2021 AFC Champions League, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr faced off in the semifinals. Al-Hilal emerged victorious, winning 2-1 on aggregate and going on to win the competition, while Al-Nassr finished as runners-up.
The Future of the Rivalry
The Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal rivalry shows no signs of abating, with both clubs continuing to challenge for domestic and continental titles. As Saudi Arabian football continues to grow in stature, the Derby of Riyadh remains one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures in the Saudi Pro League calendar.
The intense rivalry between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal has produced some unforgettable moments in Saudi football history, and with both clubs boasting rich histories and passionate fan bases, the future of this rivalry looks set to be just as exciting and unpredictable.