Ruben Neves Shines in Al Hilal's ACL Win as Al Taawoun Faces Discipline Over Fan Chants

Ruben Neves delivered a stellar performance with a goal and an assist for Al Hilal, overcoming a recent off-field controversy to help his side secure a 2-1 victory over Al Gharafa in their opening AFC Champions League Elite match on Tuesday. Aiming for a fifth Asian title, Simone Inzaghi’s team triumphed in a fiery encounter that saw both sides reduced to 10 players.

Al Gharafa pressed early, forcing goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into crucial saves against Adam Ounas and Jang Hyun-soo. Al Hilal gradually grew into the match, with Gabriel Martinelli having a tight-angle shot saved by Ahmed Kone and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic heading over from a promising position.

The match turned in the 32nd minute when Crysencio Summerville received a red card for shoving Abdulrahman Al Rasheedi. During the ensuing confrontation, Ismael Bennacer was also sent off for pulling the Al Hilal forward's hair. Just before halftime, Al Rasheedi was brought down in the box by Saimon Bouabre, earning Al Hilal a penalty that Ruben Neves calmly converted in added time.

Despite sustained pressure in the second half from Ruben Neves, Gabriel Martinelli, and Saimon Bouabre, Al Gharafa goalkeeper Ahmed Kone kept his team in contention. However, Al Hilal doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Ruben Neves floated a precise cross to the back post for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to head home decisively.

Al Gharafa pulled one back in stoppage time via a spectacular long-range strike from Alaaeddin Hasan, but it served only as a consolation as the final whistle blew shortly after the restart. Al Hilal's next ACL challenge will be against another Qatari side, Al Sadd, on October 13, while Al Gharafa prepares to host Iran's Esteghlal.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee penalized Al Taawoun by ordering them to play their next two home Saudi Pro League matches behind closed doors and issuing a 100,000 riyals ($26,660) fine. The sanctions follow an incident where supporters chanted the name of late forward Diogo Jota during a match against Al Hilal.

The chants targeted Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, a close friend and former teammate of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva. Following social media footage of the chants during Al Hilal's 6-0 victory over Al Taawoun, Ruben Neves reacted publicly, and the incident drew widespread criticism, including condemnation from Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Hilal officially filed a complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, while Al Taawoun condemned the supporters' behaviour as unrepresentative of the club.