Al Hilal vs Inter Miami 4-3: Riyadh Season Cup 2024 – as it happened

Sparks Fly in Riyadh: Al Halal Edges Inter Miami in 4-3 Thriller

The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh was electrifying on Monday as Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal hosted Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. The match, part of Inter Miami's pre-season Asian tour, was full of goals, drama, and a late winner, leaving both sides plenty to ponder.

 

Al Hilal came out of the blocks in the 10th minute through Aleksandar Mitrovic's powerful header. Soon after, a superb run by Salem Al-Dusri set up Mohamed Al-Hamdan for a cool finish, which doubled the home side's lead. Inter Miami, however, refused to fall. Luis Suarez, ever the poacher, pulled one back before the half-hour mark on a defensive blunder.

 

The second half was a watchable affair. Lionel Messi, the maestro, organized the game and finally got his name on the scoresheet with a trademark free kick in the 54th minute. But the joy was short-lived, as David Ruiz put Inter Miami ahead with a clinical finish just a minute later.

With the clock ticking, Al Hilal refused to surrender. Substitute Malcolm, introduced minutes earlier, rose to the occasion, unleashing a thunderous strike that found its way into the net in the 88th minute. The roar of the home crowd was deafening, and Inter Miami's fightback fell short the rest of the way.

 

Final score: Al Hilal 4-3 Inter Miami

key points:

Al Hilal showed their attacking prowess and scored four goals against Inter Miami's strong defense.

Lionel Messi provided glimpses of his magic, free kicks and orchestrating attacks

Inter Miami showed their resilience, coming back from two goals down but falling short in the end.

The match served as a valuable pre-season test for both sides, highlighting areas for improvement.

Beyond the scoreline:

The clash served as a meeting of the largest and most enthusiastic football crowds from different continents.

The pre-season tour provides valuable exposure for Inter Miami in new markets such as Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh Season Cup offers a platform for exciting match-ups and further boosts the region's football scene.

 

The match served as a pre-season friendly. It was a thrilling encounter that showcased the attacking prowess of both sides, the enduring magic of Lionel Messi and the undying spirit of both teams. The Riyadh Season Cup continues to provide exciting football spectacles, and this match will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the tournament.