Lead:
Al-Hilal advanced to second place in the AFC Champions League Elite Western Zone with a 2-0 victory over UAE visitors Al-Ain Youth, goals from Ollie Whitkins in minutes 6 and 46, while Manchester United defeated AS Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Champions League Round of 16, ending a nine-match winless streak.
Top Stories:
Ollie Whitkins (Al-Hilal) — The English forward scored both goals in Al-Hilal's 2-0 win over Al-Ain Youth and was named man of the match by the AFC. Whitkins struck in the 6th and 46th minutes to move Al-Hilal to 9 points and second place in the Western Zone standings.Manchester United comeback — United recovered from a catastrophic first half to defeat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford in UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Roma's Matias Suli and Donnel Malen (penalty) scored within 18 minutes, but United rallied to end a run of nine consecutive matches without a win.AFC Cup 2027 rescheduled — The AFC moved the Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027, to December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028. The governing body cited exceptional circumstances and logistical considerations for the postponement of nearly eleven months.Al-Taawun advances in AFC Cup Two — Al-Taawun leads Group Three with 7 points heading into tonight's return match against Jordan's Al-Faisali at home in Buraydah. Al-Taawun won the first leg 2-0 and stand as strong contenders for the title.Saudi Premier League Round 13 postponed — The Saudi Professional League delayed all Round 13 fixtures as part of a full review of the remaining schedule following the AFC Cup 2027 rescheduling. Organisers will hold a workshop with clubs to discuss the new fixture calendar and recovery periods.Rami Rahmoni gold medal — The Saudi swimmer Rami Rahmoni won Saudi Arabia's first-ever Olympic gold medal in swimming at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, winning the 400-meter freestyle in 3:47.86.What to Watch:
Al-Taawun hosts Jordan's Al-Faisali tonight at 9:15 pm local time in the AFC Cup Two Round of 16 return leg; Al-Taawun are one win away from securing qualification to the knockout stage.
Registration opened for the Makkah Marathon 2026, scheduled to blend running competition with the heritage and history of Islam's holiest city.