Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero between the sticks after saving a crucial penalty in a high-stakes encounter against European giants Real Madrid, further cementing his reputation as a big-game shot-stopper.

The Moroccan international denied Federico Valverde from the spot, continuing his impressive penalty-saving record since joining the Saudi Arabian champions. Bounou has now saved three of his last six penalties in official competitions for Al Hilal — a testament to his composure and instinct in pressure moments.

Speaking after the match, Bounou remained humble about his decisive intervention. “Honestly, I always say that penalty kicks have an element of intuition and luck, and that’s what happened for me to stop Valverde’s kick,” he said.

Real Madrid, who have struggled from the spot throughout the season — missing 7 of their 19 competitive penalties — once again found themselves on the wrong end of a shootout against the in-form keeper.

But beyond individual glory, Bounou was quick to highlight the collective achievement of Al Hilal. “We proved to the world who Al Hilal is,” he declared. “This is not just a win — it’s a statement. We stood toe-to-toe with one of the biggest clubs in the world and showed our strength.”

Since his move to Al Hilal, Bounou has brought European-level pedigree and leadership to the squad, playing a key role in the club’s dominance in domestic and continental competitions. His shot-stopping heroics are fast becoming a hallmark of Al Hilal’s success, and his calm presence in goal continues to inspire confidence across the team.

As Al Hilal’s profile grows on the global stage, Bounou’s performances are proving vital — and his latest display against Real Madrid may go down as one of the defining moments of the season.