Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring in the 64th minute with the in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic netting a late brace as the four-time Asian champions widened their lead at the top against their Riyadh rivals to seven points. Al Hilal set the pace from the start but Al Nassr, unbeaten in 20 matches, were up for the challenge.

Mitrovic was the first to test Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi with a fierce shot from the edge of the box within the opening minutes.

Al Nassr gradually found a foothold, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s well-struck shot from the edge of the box denied by Al Hilal custodian Bono. After an exciting but goalless first half, the match took a crucial turn in the 64th minute with Milinkovic-Savic’s powerful header from a cross by Abdulhamid breaking the deadlock.

Ronaldo thought he had equalised eight minutes later but the goal was ruled offside.

As Al Nassr pushed forward, Al Hilal capitalised with Mitrovic nodding home their second off a corner in the 89th minute, with the Serbian confirming the win with his second in added time – his 13th league goal of the season.The match ended on a slight sour note for Al Hilal with Ali Albulayhi sent off just before the end.

The win took Al Hilal to 41 points, with Al Nassr in second, four points ahead of Al Ahli Saudi who defeated Abha 6-0 on Thursday. In Friday’s other match, Damac defeated Al Feiha 4-2.