Al-Fath Youth edged a seven-goal thriller against Al Hilal Youth, winning 4-3 in the Saudi Arabia Youth League on Friday, 23 October 2026, after a dramatic late goal settled one of the most entertaining matches of the round.

Match overview

Al Hilal Youth controlled much of the ball and created the clearer chances for long spells, but Al-Fath Youth stayed compact, defended in numbers and attacked with real purpose on the break. The game had barely settled before the scoring opened, and from that point on it became a contest of momentum swings, quick transitions and clinical finishing.

With both teams committed to attack, the midfield opened up repeatedly in the second half. Al Hilal twice restored their advantage, but Al-Fath refused to fade and found the equaliser before snatching the winner deep into stoppage time. It was a result that underlined the unpredictable nature of youth football and the importance of concentration until the final whistle.

Key moments

• 8th minute: Al Hilal Youth opened the scoring through Faisal Al-Qahtani after a patient passing move.
• 19th minute: Al-Fath Youth equalised when Nawaf Al-Subaie finished a fast counter-attack.
• 34th minute: Al Hilal regained the lead, Al-Qahtani scoring his second of the night.
• 52nd minute: Al-Fath levelled again through Rakan Al-Anazi’s low strike from the edge of the box.
• 61st minute: Al Hilal made it 3-2 with a close-range finish after a corner.
• 78th minute: Al-Subaie scored his second to make it 3-3 and set up a tense finale.
• 90+4 minutes: Al-Fath won it late when Mohammed Al-Dossari converted a rebound after the goalkeeper’s save.

Tactical story

Al Hilal Youth’s plan was clear: dominate possession, use the width of the pitch and create overloads in the final third. For long periods it worked, with Al-Qahtani finding space between the lines and the wide players stretching the Al-Fath back line. However, Al Hilal’s attacking commitment left them exposed to quick turnovers, and Al-Fath exploited those gaps with impressive directness.

Al-Fath Youth defended deeper than their opponents and looked to release Al-Subaie whenever they won the ball. Their willingness to play forward quickly, rather than overcomplicate the build-up, proved decisive. In the final 15 minutes, Al Hilal’s fatigue and increasing urgency left more space at the back, and Al-Fath’s substitutes added fresh energy just when the game needed it most.

Standout performers

Faisal Al-Qahtani was excellent for Al Hilal Youth, scoring twice and linking play intelligently, while the home side’s midfield also produced several promising moments. For Al-Fath, Nawaf Al-Subaie was the standout with two goals and a constant threat on the counter. Mohammed Al-Dossari’s late winner capped a strong all-round contribution, and Rakan Al-Anazi’s equaliser was a moment of real quality.

Season impact

The win is a significant confidence boost for Al-Fath Youth, who showed they can compete with one of the stronger academies in the Saudi Arabia Youth League. For Al Hilal Youth, the defeat is a lesson in game management: dominating possession is not enough when chances are conceded in transition. Both teams will take valuable experience from a match that had everything — goals, momentum swings and a late finish that will be remembered for some time.