Bounou shootout heroics claim Saudi Super Cup final spot for Al-Hilal

 Al-Hilal advanced to the final of the Diriyah Saudi Super Cup after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Al-Ahli, following a 1-1 draw in regular time. This marks the seventh time that Al-Hilal, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions, will compete in the final of the competition, having won it twice before.

Al-Hilal's hopes of reaching the final seemed in jeopardy when Roberto Firmino, Al-Ahli's Brazilian captain, gave his team the lead in the 66th minute with a well-placed finish from a Riyad Mahrez cross. However, Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic rescued Al-Hilal by heading in a last-minute equalizer from a Salem Al-Dawsari cross, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves, Al-Dawsari, Mitrovic, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic all successfully converted their penalties. Al-Ahli, on the other hand, saw only Firmino score, with Gabri Veiga's attempt saved by Yassine Bounou and Roger Ibanez missing the target.

Al-Hilal will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Al-Nassr and Al-Taawoun in the final on Saturday.