Saudi Pro League: Al Hilal begin title defence with comfortable win at Al Okhdood

Mitrovic scores twice and Milinkovic-Savic fires home stunning free-kick as champions win 3-0 at Al Okhdood

Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring Al Hilal's first goal during the 3-0 win against Al Raed. AFP

Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his rapid start to the season on Saturday as Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal began their title defence with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Al Okhdood.

Mitrovic, who scored twice in the 4-1 Saudi Super Cup final win over Riyadh rivals Al Nassr last weekend, got his league campaign underway with another double before Serbia national team colleague Sergej Milinkovic-Savic added the third shortly before half time.

Hilal went unbeaten last season to secure the title by 14 points, and Jorge Jesus' side needed just four minutes at Prince Hathloul Sports City to set themselves up for their latest victory. Abdullah Al Hamdan timed his run perfectly to collect the ball close to the Okhdood goalline before cutting the ball back across the six-yard box for Mitrovic to fire into the net.

Al Hamdan and Mitrovic combined again for Hilal's second goal, the Saudi winger's clipped cross finding the head of the Serbian striker, who nodded home into the bottom corner.

Milinkovic-Savic then made it 3-0 in first-half injury time with a spectacular free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Hilal had chances to increase their lead after the break, but captain Salem Al Dawsari could only find the side netting from a tight angle, before Musab Al Juwayr scuffed his close-range effort.

Al Okhdood had a great chance to score a consolation goal in the 75th minute only for Mohammed Al Jahif's header to be excellently saved by Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The follow-up shot from Saviour Godwin then flashed past the post, although Al Jahif had strayed marginally offside, so a goal wouldn't have counted.

There was also a win on Saturday for 2022/23 champions Al Ittihad as summer signing Houssem Aouar endeared himself to his new fans by scoring the game's only goal deep in injury time at Al Kholood.

In Saturday's other game, Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq began their campaign with three points after a 1-0 win at Al Shabab following former Lyon striker Moussa Dembele's 74th-minute goal.

On Friday, Roberto Firmino opened his account for the new season in Al Ahli's 2-0 victory over Al-Orobah. The Brazilian former Liverpool forward doubled Ahli's lead in the 80th minute after Abdulkarim Darisi scored the opener in the first half.

Also on Friday, promoted Al Qadisiya returned to the top flight in style by defeating Al Fateh 3-0 at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, with new signing Julian Quinones scoring twice. In the day's other match, Al Khaleej won 1-0 away at Damac courtesy of a Dhari Al Anazi own goal.

The opening round began on Thursday and there was frustration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Raed. The Portuguese star, who set a new SPL record last season by scoring 35 goals, got off the mark in the 34th minute but a Mohamed Fouzair penalty shortly after the break levelled for the visitors.

The match of the round took place at King Abdul Aziz Stadium, where Al Wehda and Al Riyadh shared a thrilling 3-3 draw. Wehda looked to be on course for victory when Craig Goodwin scored his second goal after Bernard Mensah had earlier equalised and Riyadh were reduced to 10 men.

Ibrahim Bayesh then made it 2-2 for Riyadh in the 85th minute, before substitute Mourad Mohammed Abdullah Khodari gave Wehda their third lead in the 94th minute. The celebrations were short-lived as Lucas Kal struck the leveller three minutes later.

There was also drama at Al Taawon Club Stadium as the hosts scored an injury-time winner through Abdulfattah Adam Ahmed Mohamed after having Ibrahim Al Shoeil sent off in the 81st minute.