Ollie Watkins Shines for Al-Hilal with Stunning Brace

Ollie Watkins needed only nine minutes in Buraidah to remind everyone exactly why Al-Hilal went all out to bring him to Saudi Arabia.

The England striker, still adjusting to life in the Saudi Roshn League, ripped into Al-Taawoun with the kind of ruthless performance that used to light up his Premier League nights.

Al-Hilal arrived for this seventh-round clash with expectations heavy on their new No. 9. Watkins answered almost instantly.

Ruben Neves launched a long, raking ball from midfield, and Watkins read it before anyone else. He spun in behind, burst clear, and with the calm of a man who has done this on the biggest stages, slid his finish home. One touch to set, one to decide. Clinical. The deadlock gone inside ten minutes.

Al-Taawoun never really recovered from that early punch. Al-Hilal kept coming, piling on the goals as their attack clicked into gear. Watkins, constantly on the move, kept stretching the back line, dragging defenders into places they did not want to go.

The pressure finally told again after the break.

In the 56th minute, Watkins struck for the second time and sealed his first brace in Al-Hilal colours. This time it was all about his own running power. Picking up the ball from deep, he surged through midfield, shrugged off the chasing pack and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The finish was simple, almost casual, the kind of composed strike that makes a difficult chance look routine. It was Al-Hilal’s fifth of the night and Watkins’ statement that he has truly arrived.

For the 30-year-old, it felt like familiar territory. He made a habit of doubles in the Premier League with Aston Villa, recording five braces last season alone. Those included late-season fireworks against Liverpool and Manchester City in the final two rounds, the sort of games that built his reputation as a big-moment forward.

His start in Saudi Arabia had been solid but not spectacular. A goal on debut in a clean 3-0 win over Al-Ahli hinted at what was to come, before quieter outings against Al-Shabab and Neom stalled his early momentum.

This trip to Buraidah changed that. Two goals, the old movements, the old confidence. Watkins looked every inch the striker Al-Hilal thought they were signing – and if this is the level he’s hitting in round seven, defenders across the league know what’s coming next.