The Al Nassr vs Al Hilal rivalry, widely known as the Riyadh Derby, is one of the biggest and most successful football rivalries in Saudi Arabia and across Asia. Both clubs are based in Riyadh, the country’s capital, and have spent decades competing for domestic league titles, cup trophies, and continental success.
Whenever Al Nassr and Al Hilal meet, the fixture attracts widespread attention from football fans throughout Saudi Arabia and around the world. The rivalry has grown even further in recent years following the arrival of internationally recognized players, increased global television coverage, and major investment in the Saudi Pro League.
Unlike many rivalries that are built primarily on geography, the Riyadh Derby is also defined by sustained sporting success. Al Hilal and Al Nassr have consistently been among the strongest clubs in Saudi football, regularly challenging for the Saudi Pro League title, the King’s Cup, the Saudi Super Cup, and qualification for the AFC Champions League. Their meetings often have a direct impact on championship races, cup competitions, and qualification for continental tournaments.
Al Nassr vs Al Hilal Overview
The history of the rivalry spans several decades and includes memorable league matches, dramatic cup finals, title-deciding fixtures, and unforgettable individual performances. Numerous Saudi football legends have featured in the derby over the years, while modern stars have helped introduce the rivalry to a much larger international audience.
Because both clubs have enjoyed periods of dominance, the balance of power has shifted throughout different eras. Some seasons have seen Al Hilal establish long unbeaten runs, while others have been defined by Al Nassr’s resurgence and championship-winning campaigns. This changing competitive landscape has helped maintain the rivalry’s significance across generations of supporters.
Today, every Riyadh Derby is followed by millions of fans through television broadcasts, digital platforms, and social media. Beyond the result itself, supporters closely watch the latest head-to-head record, historical statistics, memorable moments, top goalscorers, and the race for domestic trophies.
This page provides a complete overview of the Al Nassr vs Al Hilal rivalry, including their all-time head-to-head record, latest results, historical meetings, biggest victories, competition-by-competition statistics, trophy comparison, notable players, and the defining moments that have shaped one of Asian football’s most celebrated rivalries.
Head to Head Record
| Competition | Matches | Al Nassr Wins | Draws | Al Hilal Wins | Al Nassr Goals | Al Hilal Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Competitions | ||||||
| Saudi Pro League | ||||||
| King's Cup | ||||||
| Saudi Super Cup | ||||||
| AFC Champions League Elite* |
Last 10 Meetings
Al Nassr vs Al Hilal Last 10 Meetings
| Date | Competition | Stage | Venue | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-05-2026 | 🟢 Saudi Pro League | Matchday | Al Awwal Park | Al Nassr 1-1 Al Hilal | Draw |
| 12-01-2026 | 🟢 Saudi Pro League | Matchday | Kingdom Arena | Al Hilal 3-1 Al Nassr | Win |
| 4-04-2025 | 🟢 Saudi Pro League | Matchday | Kingdom Arena | Al Hilal 1-3 Al Nassr | Win |
| 1-11-2024 | 🟢 Saudi Pro League | Matchday | Al Awwal Park | Al Nassr 1-1 Al Hilal | Draw |
| 17-05-2024 | 🟢 Saudi Pro League | Matchday | Al Awwal Park | Al Nassr 1-1 Al Hilal | Draw |
| 31-05-2024 | 🟡 King's Cup | Final | King Abdullah Sports City | Al Hilal 1-1 Al Nassr (5-4 pens) | Win |
| 17-08-2024 | 🔵 Saudi Super Cup | Final | Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City | Al Nassr 1-4 Al Hilal | Win |
| 8-04-2024 | 🔵 Saudi Super Cup | Semi Final | Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium | Al Hilal 2-1 Al Nassr | Win |
| 1-12-2023 | 🟢 Saudi Pro League | Matchday | King Fahd International Stadium | Al Hilal 3-0 Al Nassr | Win |
| 12-08-2023 | 🟣 Arab Club Champions Cup | Final | King Fahd Sports City | Al Hilal 1-2 Al Nassr (AET) | Win |
Overall Statistics
The overall statistics between Al Nassr and Al Hilal provide a quick snapshot of one of Saudi Arabia’s fiercest football rivalries. While the head to head record highlights wins and draws, these numbers offer deeper insight into each club’s performance, including goals scored, clean sheets, home and away records, and winning percentages. The statistics below are based on official competitive matches and are updated as new Riyadh Derby fixtures are played.
| Statistic | Al Nassr | Al Hilal |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 65 | 65 |
| Wins | 15 | 34 |
| Draws | 16 | 16 |
| Goals Scored | 68 | 109 |
| Goals Conceded | 109 | 68 |
| Average Goals Per Match | 1.05 | 1.68 |
| Biggest Win | 4-1, 0-3 | 5-1, 0-4 |
| Longest Winning Streak | 4 Games | 6 Games (March 2011 - September 2012) |
| Longest Unbeaten Run | 7 Games | 10 Games (February 2010 - September 2012) |
| No Clean Sheet | 14 | 7 |
| Win Percentage | 23.1% | 52.3% |
Highest Scoring Matches
Over the years, the Riyadh Derby has produced several memorable high scoring encounters featuring dramatic comebacks, late winners, and outstanding individual performances. While many meetings between Al Nassr and Al Hilal have been closely contested, a number of matches have seen both clubs combine for five or more goals, creating some of the most entertaining fixtures in Saudi football.
The table below highlights the highest scoring official meetings between the two rivals, including the competition, final score, total goals scored, and match date.
| Date | Competition | Result | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-12-2017 | Saudi Pro League | Al Hilal 4–3 Al Nassr | 7 |
| 4-5-2017 | Saudi Pro League | Al Hilal 5–1 Al Nassr | 6 |
| 19-09-1969 | Saudi Regional League | Al Nassr 4–1 Al Hilal | 5 |
| 5-08-2020 | Saudi Pro League | Al Nassr 1–4 Al Hilal | 5 |
| 17-08-2024 | Saudi Super Cup Final | Al Nassr 1–4 Al Hilal | 5 |
Lineups
Throughout the history of the Riyadh Derby, both Al Nassr and Al Hilal have fielded some of the greatest players in Saudi and Asian football. From legendary Saudi internationals to globally recognized stars, the starting lineups in this fixture have reflected the quality and prestige of one of Asia’s biggest club rivalries. While the personnel have changed over the decades, every derby has featured talented squads capable of deciding the outcome through moments of individual brilliance.
Modern Riyadh Derby Lineups
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Bento
Right Back: Sultan Al Ghannam
Center Back: Mohamed Simakan
Center Back: Aymeric Laporte*
Left Back: Nawaf Boushal
Defensive Midfield: Marcelo Brozović
Central Midfield: Otávio
Right Wing: Sadio Mané
Attacking Midfield: Felix
Left Wing: Kingsley Coman
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Hilal (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
Right Back: João Cancelo*
Center Back: Kalidou Koulibaly
Center Back: Hassan Al Tambakti
Left Back: Renan Lodi
Midfield: Sergej Milinković Savić
Midfield: Rúben Neves
Midfield: Mohamed Kanno
Right Wing: Malcom
Left Wing: Salem Al Dawsari
Striker: Kareem Benzema
Riyadh Derby Timeline
The Riyadh Derby has evolved from a local football rivalry into one of the biggest fixtures in Asian football. For decades, Al Nassr and Al Hilal have battled for league titles, domestic cups, continental qualification, and local bragging rights. Below is a timeline highlighting some of the defining moments that have shaped the rivalry.
1958 – The First Official Riyadh Derby
Al Nassr and Al Hilal met for the first official time in 1958, beginning what would become Saudi Arabia’s most famous football rivalry. As both clubs grew in stature, their meetings quickly became some of the country’s most anticipated sporting events.
1969 – Al Nassr Record Their Biggest Derby Victory
On 19 September 1969, Al Nassr defeated Al Hilal 4–1 in the Saudi Regional League. The result remains Al Nassr’s biggest official victory in the history of the Riyadh Derby and is still remembered as one of the club’s greatest performances against its city rival.
1980s – A Rivalry Defines Saudi Football
Throughout the 1980s, Al Nassr and Al Hilal established themselves as two of the dominant forces in Saudi football. Their meetings regularly influenced league championships and domestic cup competitions, helping turn the Riyadh Derby into one of the country’s marquee sporting events.
1990s – Domestic Success and Continental Ambitions
During the 1990s, both clubs enjoyed sustained success at home while also representing Saudi Arabia in Asian competitions. The rivalry continued to grow in significance as every derby carried greater implications for league standings, trophies, and continental qualification.
2000s – Al Hilal Enjoy a Period of Dominance
The early 2000s saw Al Hilal strengthen their position as one of Asia’s most successful clubs. They consistently challenged for domestic honors and built an impressive head to head advantage over Al Nassr, adding another chapter to the rivalry’s rich history.
2017 – The Highest Scoring Riyadh Derby
On 8 December 2017, Al Hilal defeated Al Nassr 4–3 in one of the most entertaining matches ever played between the clubs. The seven goal thriller remains the highest scoring official Riyadh Derby and is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in the rivalry’s history.
Earlier that year, on 4 May 2017, Al Hilal also recorded a 5–1 league victory over Al Nassr, the biggest winning margin in an official Riyadh Derby.
2020 – Derby Played Behind Closed Doors
Like many football competitions around the world, the Riyadh Derby was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Matches were played under health restrictions and without full stadiums, creating a unique chapter in the rivalry’s history.
2023 – Cristiano Ronaldo Begins a New Era
The rivalry entered a new global spotlight following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr. His arrival significantly increased international interest in the Saudi Pro League, with Riyadh Derby matches attracting millions of viewers worldwide. Later that year, Al Nassr defeated Al Hilal 2–1 after extra time in the Arab Club Champions Cup final, giving Ronaldo his first trophy with the club.
2024 – Another Major Final
Al Nassr and Al Hilal met again in the Saudi Super Cup, with Al Hilal producing an impressive 4–1 victory to lift the trophy. The result further demonstrated how frequently the two clubs compete for major honors.
Today – Saudi Arabia’s Biggest Football Rivalry
Today, the Riyadh Derby is recognized as one of the premier fixtures in Asian football. Every meeting attracts worldwide attention, featuring elite players, passionate supporters, and significant consequences for league titles, domestic cups, and continental ambitions. As both clubs continue to strengthen their squads, the rivalry is expected to produce many more memorable moments in the years ahead.
Legendary Players in Riyadh Derby History
Throughout the history of the Riyadh Derby, numerous football legends have left their mark on the rivalry. From prolific goalscorers and inspirational captains to world class playmakers and dependable defenders, these players have helped shape some of the most memorable moments between Al Nassr and Al Hilal. While squads have changed over the decades, their performances in one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest football fixtures continue to be remembered by supporters of both clubs.
| Player | Club | Position | Derby Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majed Abdullah | Al Nassr | Striker | 1970s–1990s |
| Sami Al Jaber | Al Hilal | Striker | 1990s–2000s |
| Mohamed Al Deayea | Al Hilal | Goalkeeper | 1990s–2000s |
| Yousef Al Thunayan | Al Hilal | Midfielder | 1980s–2000s |
| Fahad Al Herafy | Al Nassr | Midfielder | 1980s–1990s |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | Forward | 2023–Present |