The encounter between Al-Fateh and Al-Hilal provided a compelling look at how physical grit can disrupt technical superiority. While Al-Hilal controlled the tempo with 55% possession and a superior pass accuracy of 80.4%, the story of the match was written in the individual battles where Al-Fateh refused to yield, winning 56% of total duels and 58% of ground challenges.

Al-Hilal’s offensive rhythm was orchestrated by Mohamed Kanno, who delivered a standout performance with a 9.0 rating. Kanno was nearly omnipresent, recording 69 touches, providing an assist, and winning 10 duels. His ability to link play was supported by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (7.87 rating), who scored the decisive goal. However, despite Al-Hilal’s 17 shots and 13 attempts from inside the box, they found it difficult to pull away, largely due to Al-Fateh’s defensive volume, which included 38 clearances and 14 interceptions.

Al-Fateh’s resistance was anchored by Marwane Saadane, who finished with a 7.34 rating. Saadane embodied the team’s combative approach, winning a staggering 13 duels (including 7 in the air) and recording 5 clearances. This defensive solidity allowed Al-Fateh to remain dangerous on the counter, launching 72 long passes as they bypassed Al-Hilal’s press to find space out wide. Although their shot accuracy was limited to 33.3%, they matched Al-Hilal’s 4 saves, keeping the contest tight until the final whistle.

The data suggests a tactical divide in how both teams approached the final third. Al-Hilal relied on volume and sustained pressure, earning 7 corners and delivering 22 crosses. In contrast, Al-Fateh focused on directness and physical imposition. Ruben Neves attempted 11 crosses for the visitors but found success only twice, illustrating the difficulty Al-Hilal faced in penetrating a set Al-Fateh block that excelled in aerial duels (53% success rate).

Ultimately, while Al-Hilal’s technical depth—highlighted by Kalidou Koulibaly’s 8.12 defensive rating and Kanno’s midfield mastery—secured the result, Al-Fateh’s performance serves as a blueprint for defensive organization. The numbers point toward a match where possession and passing totals were balanced by raw defensive output and an underdog’s refusal to be outmuscled in the transitions.