Saudi club Al-Hilal break world record with 28 consecutive wins
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Al-Hilal set a new world record for consecutive wins by a top-tier men's soccer team Tuesday, defeating Saudi rivals Al-Ittihad 2-0 in the AFC Champions League for their 28th successive victory in all competitions.
The previous benchmark of 27 straight triumphs was established by Welsh club The New Saints during the 2016-17 season. Prior to that, the record belonged to the iconic 1971-72 Ajax side led by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
Al-Hilal, who last failed to win a match on Sept. 21, accomplished the feat despite losing marquee signing Neymar to a torn ACL in October.
Their streak, which includes 16 games in the Saudi Pro League, eight in the Asian Champions League, and three in their domestic cup competition, has largely been fueled by the scoring exploits of Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian striker, signed from Premier League outfit Fulham last summer for a reported £46 million, has racked up 29 goals in 28 games between league and continental competitions.
Al-Hilal also splurged to pluck Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Europe ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The club, coached by Portuguese tactician Jorge Jesus, is one of four Saudi teams bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.
Al-Hilal, now into the semifinals of the AFC Champions League, sit atop the Saudi league standings, 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.