Riyadh: Al-Hilal kicked off their new Saudi League season with a 4-2 victory over Al-Faisaly in a match that saw three penalty kicks awarded.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the league leaders opened their account this season through a penalty converted by Frenchman Karim Benzema in the 19th minute. Brazilian Malcom added Al-Hilal’s second goal in the 26th minute.

Portuguese Ruben Neves then scored the third goal, also from a penalty kick, in the 28th minute. Despite Al-Faisaly managing to reduce the deficit with two goals scored by Alexandre Mendy and Theo Bon-Gonda within five minutes at the start of the second half, Neves secured Al-Hilal’s victory by scoring his second goal of the match and his team’s fourth in the 82nd minute, also from a penalty kick.

In other matches of the same round, Neom defeated Al-Fayha 2-1, while Al-Ettifaq triumphed over Al-Riyadh 4-2.