{
  "id": 974106,
  "title": "Karim Benzema and Ruben Neves penalties get Al Hilal up and running in Saudi Pro League",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/karim-benzema-and-ruben-neves-penalties-get-al-hilal-up-and-running",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T06:31:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2026/08/15/karim-benzema-and-ruben-neves-penalties-get-al-hilal-up-and-running-in-saudi-pro-league/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al Hilal secured a convincing 4-2 win over promoted Al Faisaly in the opening match of the Saudi Pro League season. Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a penalty kick, followed by a second one converted by Malcom on 26 minutes. Ruben Neves added two more penalties for the home side in quick succession. Al Faisaly put up a spirited fight, with goals from Alexandre Mendy and Theo Bongonda, but Neves sealed the victory with his second penalty in the 88th minute. The win came as Al Hilal continues to show they are a force to be reckoned with in the league, even as they try to secure a transfer for Darwin Nunez from Trabzonspor. Summer signing Crysencio Summerville made his debut on the left wing, but it was Benzema who provided the key to Hilal's victory.",
  "summary": "Al Hilal made a winning start to the new Saudi Pro League season with a 4-2 victory over promoted Al Faisaly. A Karim Benzema penalty kick-started proceedings at Kingdom Arena before Malcom added a second on 26 minutes. Ruben Neves converted the first of his two penalties two minutes later before Faisaly threatened an unlikely comeback with second-half goals from Alexandre Mendy and Theo…",
  "key_points": [
    "Karim Benzema scores first two penalties for Al Hilal",
    "Ruben Neves adds two more penalties in quick succession",
    "Al Faisaly scores two goals but Al Hilal wins 4-2"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The win cements Al Hilal's status as a force to be reckoned with in the league, with key signings like Benzema and Neves already making an impact.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Karim Benzema and Ruben Neves penalties get Al Hilal up and running in Saudi Pro League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/karim-benzema-and-ruben-neves-penalties-get-al-hilal-up-and-running-975337",
        "published": "2026-08-15T06:31:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}