Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo was back among the goals as his first-half brace helped Al-Hilal to a comfortable 4-0 thrashing of Al-Tawawoon in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
After a goalless half hour at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraydah, the 33-year-old broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute with a left-footed volley into the bottom corner.
???? 4-0 at the end ⚽️
Congratulations ????????#AlHilal ???????? #AlTaawoun_AlHilal ⚽️#RoshnSaudiLeague ???? pic.twitter.com/RZUFO4dSJv— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) March 10, 2023
Ighalo doubled his tally in the game with a deft finish in first-half stoppage time, with a poacher-like finish off a cutback from Peruvian winger Andre Carillo.
The 18-time league winners made it three through forward Michael Delgado. The Brazilian ended his solo run with a sublime finish into the far corner.
Meanwhile, Ighalo almost made it four for Al-Hilal and three for himself, but his right-footed effort in the 57th minute was parried away by Brazilian shotstopper Mailson dos Santos in goal for the home side.
The former Watford and Manchester United striker was substituted shortly after, to loud applause from the away fans.
However, Al-Hilal were not done with the scoring as Saudi Arabian youngster Mohammed Al-Qahtani sealed the emphatic victory with a fourth goal, his first of the season.
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
8⃣ goals in his last 6 games in all competitons – Odion Ighalo is on ????????#RoshnSaudiLeague | @Alhilal_EN | @ighalojude pic.twitter.com/SKAEWgNkcg
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) March 10, 2023
Ighalo’s brace took his tally for the season to 19 goals in 25 matches across all competitions, including 11 in the league. He continued his rich form with eight goals in his last six matches in all competitions.
The Nigerian has now also scored eight goals in his last eight appearances in the Saudi top flight, finding the back of the net in all but one tie, their 2-1 loss to Al-Fateh last time out.
The win takes the reigning champions to fourth in the league standings with 36 points, a place above their rivals, who slipped into fifth. They remain, however, eleven points below Al-Ittihad in the top spot having played two games less.
