THE FIVE LONGEST WINNING RUNS IN FOOTBALL HISTORY

Al Hilal made history on Tuesday night by setting a new record for the longest winning run in football. Hilal defeated rivals Al Ittihad 2-0 in the second leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal tie for their 28th victory in a row. With Hilal now holding the record, here are the five longest winning streaks in football history.

1. Al Hilal 2023/24 (28 matches)

The Riyadh side are running away with the Saudi Pro League, winning 21 and drawing two of their games so far, while also making smooth progress in the Asian Champions League.

Former Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic has been banging in the goals, and the likes of Brazilian winger Malcom, Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves and Serbian midfielder Sergej MilinkovicSavic have all adapted quickly to the team. And they have achieved this record mainly without Neymar, who has been out injured since November.

2. The New Saints FC 2016/17 (27 matches)

The previous owner of the record was not a traditional giant by any means but the dominant team of the Cymru Premier League. The Welsh side put together their run when they won the domestic treble of league, Welsh Cup and Welsh League Cup.

The New Saints have again wrapped up the league title this season – a record-extending 16th – and another League Cup, while they are in the semifinals of the Welsh Cup.

3. Ajax 1971/72 (26 matches)

Ajax’s historic run set up the Dutch giants to win the Dutch league, Dutch Cup and European Cup treble.

Led by Johann Cruyff, who scored 33 goals, and including the likes of midfielder Johan Neeskens, winger Piet Keizer and forward Dick van Dijk, Ajax blew away all rivals both domestically and on the continent, winning the Eredivisie by nine points and beating Inter Milan in the European Cup final.

4. Ajax 1994-95 (25 matches)

Regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time, an Ajax side comprising the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Edgar Davids, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Jari Litmanen and Patrick Kluivert came close to breaking their predecessors’ record in 1994/95.

The Amsterdam giants finished seven points clear of second-placed Roda JC to secure the Eredivisie title and won their fourth, and most recent, European Cup with a 1-0 final victory over AC Milan. Finland attacker Litmanen top-scored for Louis van Gaal’s side with 27 goals in all competitions.

5. Coritiba 2011 (24 matches)

The holder of the South American record, Coritiba’s 24-match winning run in 2011 saw the Brazilian side win the Campeonato Paranaense which included a perfect 11 victories in the second stage to win the title. The streak also saw Coritiba clinch the Copa do Brasil.