{
  "id": 16846915,
  "title": "Inzaghi blames fatigue as depleted Al Hilal suffer shock defeat at Al Shamal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/inzaghi-blames-fatigue-as-depleted-al-hilal-suffer-shock-defeat-at-al-16846915",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T03:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/10/28/inzaghi-blames-fatigue-as-depleted-al-hilal-suffer-shock-defeat-at-al-shamal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al Shamal secured their first victory of the AFC Champions League Elite phase with a convincing 3-1 win over depleted Al Hilal at Al Bayt Stadium. Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez helped Al Shamal take the lead with two assists. Qatari side Wesley Said scored the opening goal in the eighth minute, followed by a leveler from Al Hilal captain Salem Al Dawsari in the 32nd minute. Baghdad Bounedjah restored Al Shamal's advantage three minutes into the second half, with Mohamed Ben Romdhane adding a second goal six minutes later. The result left Al Hilal on six points from three matches, while Al Shamal moved to five points after drawing their opening two games. For Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi, it was a third defeat since taking charge of the team in summer 2025 and highlighted the impact of a depleted squad. Midfielders Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic were unavailable for Al Hilal, while Gabriel Martinelli was injured and Crysencio Summerville was suspended. Al Shamal needed only eight minutes to take the lead, while Al Hilal struggled to maintain their level after the interval. Al Dawsari admitted Al Hilal had been below their best, stating that the result was unsatisfactory. Shabab Al Ahli joined Al Ain on nine points with a 2-0 victory over Esteghlal in Dubai.",
  "summary": "Al Shamal produced the biggest result of their AFC Champions League Elite campaign on Tuesday, beating an understrength Al Hilal 3-1 at Al Bayt Stadium to hand the Saudi Pro League leaders their first defeat of the league phase. Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez marked his second start for Shamal with two assists. The Qatari side went ahead early through Wesley Said before Al Hilal captain Salem Al…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}